Emirates to launch daily... | Connecting Travel

UAE airline to introduce fifth service to China from July

Dubai-based Emirates airline is launching a daily, non-stop service to Hangzhou (pictured) in the Zhejiang province of China from 30 July 2025.

The new route will be Emirates’ fifth to China, following Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen, with the daily service between Dubai and Shenzhen beginning 1 July 2025.

Emirates was the first airline to establish a direct route between the Middle East and the Chinese mainland in 2002 with the launch of services from Dubai to Shanghai.

The new Hangzhou service will depart from Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 09:40 and arrive at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) at 22:00. The return flight departs HGH at 00:10 and arrives at DXB at 04:55.

The route will be operated with a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, with a total capacity of 2,478 weekly seats.

“As an emerging global hub for innovation, e-commerce and advanced manufacturing, Hangzhou will open doors to new opportunities for our passenger and cargo operations,,” said Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates.

Beyond business, China’s former capital is also a rising culinary destination having launched its Michelin Guide in 2024, and it remains an enduringly popular leisure draw for domestic travellers, thanks to its Unesco-listed lake, rolling scenery and historic temples.

Middle East airlines have followed Emirates’ pioneering lead in China. Qatar Airways began a Beijing service in 2004 and has carried more than 2.7 million passengers in and out of the capital. The Doha-based airline now operates 45 weekly flights to seven cities in China.

From 30 July 2025, Emirates will operate 49 weekly flights to the Chinese mainland, including double daily services to Beijing and Shanghai, daily flights to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and the new daily service to Hangzhou.

Bahrain’s Gulf Air added Shanghai and Guangzhou to its network in 2024 and UAE airline Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

And the UAE is also welcoming Chinese carriers, with China Eastern’s inaugural flight from Shanghai to the UAE landing in Abu Dhabi on 28 April 2025, with the service now operating four weekly flights, from 12 September.

China is an important inbound market for the UAE, despite sluggish tourism recovery in China, with Abu Dhabi in Q1 2025 reporting international overnight hotel guests grew by 4% compared to Q1 2024, with India, China, Russia, and the UK being the top source markets.

The recovery could be accelerating, with UAE-based Global Hotel Alliance reporting a 19% increase in revenues at member hotels from Chinese tourists in Q1 2025.

For more information, visit www.emirates.com

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