Dubai's Emirates launches 5th China route with daily flights to Hangzhou
The launch took place on 30 th July with a debut flight from Dubai to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Passengers aboard the new flight EK310 were welcomed by local dignitaries, airport officials, a ceremonial water cannon salute and received memorabilia from the airport.
Emirates expands China network with Hangzhou
The inaugural flight carried passengers from across Emirates' global network, including key markets like the UAE, Nigeria, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil, as well as a VIP delegation led by Emirates' senior management and members of the international media.
'China has become one of the world's leading aviation markets, and Emirates is proud to have played a role in its development. Adding two new gateways within just one month is a major milestone that underscores our deepening commitment to the Chinese mainland,' said Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, regarding the launch.
Kazim explained that the expansion demonstrated the conviction of the company's East and Southeast Asia growth strategy, which has gained momentum over the past year. With rising demand, Kazim is optimistic that its global network will continue connecting people, businesses, and economies across Asia and beyond. Emirates remains committed to delivering seamless, reliable connectivity between this dynamic region and the world.
'We extend our sincere appreciation to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and all our local partners for their invaluable support in enabling the successful start of this route,' said Kazim.
The Emirates Boeing 777-300ER (EK310) is scheduled to depart Dubai at 09:40 AM and arrive in Hangzhou at 22:00 PM. The return flight, EK311, departs Hangzhou at 00:10 AM, landing in Dubai at 04:55 AM.
Emirates is said to offer optimal connectivity for customers from 40 destinations in Europe, 21 in Africa, 13 in the Middle East, as well as Brazil and Argentina, to Hangzhou via Dubai. The airline also offers convenient two-way connections from Hangzhou to key cities including Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo, and Johannesburg via Dubai.
The Boeing 777-300ER wide-body aircraft is said to offer up to 16 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity per flight, enabling the transport of time-sensitive shipments such as e-commerce goods, pharmaceuticals, smart devices, and other high-value products.
With a well-defined digital infrastructure in place, Hangzhou serves as a key international gateway for Chinese brands.
With Emirates SkyCargo's expansive network spanning six continents and high-speed connectivity through its Dubai hub, goods from Hangzhou and the broader Yangtze River Delta can reach emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America faster, reducing delivery timelines and enhancing supply chain performance.
Emirates now operates 49 weekly flights to five major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou. Its signature complimentary chauffeur-drive service for First and Business Class passengers is also available to passengers flying to Hangzhou.
With the addition of Hangzhou to its growing Chinese mainland network, Emirates is building a powerful air corridor for trade, tourism, and digital exchanges between China and the Middle East, as well as beyond. The new route will further open new opportunities for Chinese brands to reach a global audience while offering customers from across Emirates' global network better access to this powerful tech hub.
Through interline and codeshare agreements with China Southern Airlines, Air China and Sichuan Airlines, Emirates provides enhanced connectivity to destinations beyond its network across China.
Travellers from the UAE and other GCC countries can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
28 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Sheikh Mohammed waves at humanoid robot during live demonstration
When was the last time you saw a humanoid robot wave and walk towards you? Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, had an experience that not many residents get to have during a meeting with local dignitaries at the Union House in Dubai today, August 6. In a video posted by Wam, the leader could be seen waving back at the humanoid robot. The robot also showcased its speed by running inside the majlis as the dignitaries looked on. The robot was present as part of a live demonstration of the Unitree G1 by Dubai Future Labs. The lightweight, highly balanced robot mimics human movement and represents the latest in robotics and AI. Watch the clip below: It will soon be featured in the Museum of the Future's interactive displays, welcoming visitors and showcasing advanced technology, allowing residents and tourists to watch it in action too. The Unitree G1 is a humanoid robot that stands 130cm tall and weighs around 35kg. Its onboard computing includes an 8-core high-performance CPU, with sensory hardware like a depth camera, 3D LiDAR, microphone array, speaker, Wi‑Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. The robot runs for about two hours on a 13‑string lithium battery. Meeting at Al Mudaif Majlis During the gathering, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the UAE's continued progress in building a distinctive development model based on openness, competitiveness, and support for entrepreneurship. He noted that the country's success stems from ambitious goals, a people-centred approach, and strong public-private partnerships. The achievements of recent decades, he added, reflect a clear vision driven by planning, determination, and collaboration. He added that the UAE remains committed to being a land of opportunity, a hub for prosperity, and a welcoming home for all who contribute to its growth. He also said that at every stage, the UAE has set new benchmarks for progress and established a model economy rooted in innovation. The outcomes of this journey are evident today in the country's stability, social cohesion, and the resilience and growth of its economy. The Ruler also highlighted Dubai's vital role in the UAE's broader development journey, as it continues to strengthen its position as a leading global economic centre. Driven by investor confidence, market maturity, and its ability to attract top talent and opportunities, the emirate continues to advance the goals of Dubai Economic Agenda D33, he highlighted.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Smart Nol card top-ups see 20% rise as less commuters rely on ticket machines
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a 20 per cent increase in nol card top-up transactions through digital channels during the first half of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. This reflects ongoing efforts to advance digital transformation in public transport services and enhance customer satisfaction. The authority explained that the improvements included the provision of digital machines for ticket sales and top-ups, public awareness initiatives encouraging the use of digital channels such as the website and mobile payment applications, in addition to raising the minimum top-up amount for nol cards through machines and ticket sales offices. Statistics showed a 28 per cent decrease in the total number of top-up transactions via ticket vending machines, while digital transactions via these machines increased by 20 per cent. Meanwhile, cash transactions at ticket sales offices declined by 37 per cent, and digital transactions by six per cent, resulting in an overall 26 per cent drop in transactions at ticket offices. The RTA affirmed that this shift contributed to shorter queues and lower operating costs related to cash handling, along with an 80 per cent decrease in vending machine malfunctions due to fewer cash-based transactions.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
'Waited for hours': Some Filipino workers frustrated after thousands throng Dubai event
What was meant to be a streamlined public service event for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE turned into a source of frustration for many attendees, after the OFW Serbisyo Caravan held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Sunday, August 3, drew unexpected crowds and criticism for "poor organisation". Organised by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the event was scheduled to run from 8am to 6pm, aiming to bring together key government agencies under one roof to assist Filipinos with various services, such as legal aid, financial support, and welfare counselling. But the experience for many turned out to be far from smooth. Several OFWs described the event as 'disorganised and overwhelming', citing long queues, a lack of direction, and overcrowded conditions. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted his experience to Khaleej Times. 'My friend and I arrived at the venue at 8.30am, thinking we were early enough to beat the crowds, but the line was already snaking around the building,' the 28-year-old shared. 'There was no one guiding us, no signs, no system. We just followed the crowd and hoped we were going the right way.' The Ajman resident said he ended up walking aimlessly through the hot halls with no clear directions. 'I ended up in a room packed with people. It was hot and overcrowded,' he said. 'At one point, we were just standing in line in the hallway for three hours outside the hall." He and his companion finally completed their transactions by 7pm, nearly 11 hours after they arrived. 'We were thankful to be assisted eventually, and there were some seats and a food vendor inside.' Some attendees also pointed out that all the services — ranging from registering for Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to contract verification — were clustered into one space, which led to further confusion. 'There were no clear signs and no separation of services. People didn't know where to go or which line to join,' Dubai-based expat Maria T. said. H.T., another OFW, noted that although she scanned a QR code to receive a digital queue number, there was "no system in place" to enforce the order. "People continued lining up wherever they wanted. When I finally got into the hall, it was more chaos inside." According to her, even as they exited the venue at 7pm, long queues still remained. 'Some had already given up and gone home. It wasn't what we expected.' Not everyone, however, had a negative experience. K.A., another attendee, said the crowd outside appeared hectic but things improved inside. 'The flow was actually very quick. I got my contract verified and managed to register with OWWA without any issues,' she said. She shared that, while there were no clear directions at the start, she was able to avoid most of the chaos because she got there early and knew her way to Hall 8. K.A. shared that she got to the World Trade Centre at 6am because she already anticipated the long lines. "There was no metro service yet, so there were fewer people,' she shared. 'I queued from 6am to 10am. The crowd really started to build around 8am, and from then on, it got really crowded." Unexpected turnout John Rio A. Bautista, Labor Attaché of the Migrant Workers Office Dubai, acknowledged the negative feedback. According to him, the event saw an unexpectedly high turnout of nearly 6,000 individuals — far exceeding their initial estimate of 2,000. The event was organised in partnership with the Filipino Social Club, which saw 200 members volunteer to assist with the event. When the turnout exceeded expectations, crowd control measures were implemented. "DMW officials, Consul General Marford Angeles of PCG Dubai, and the President of the Filipino Social Club (FilSoc) personally met with representatives from the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Community Development Authority (CDA), and Dubai Police to help manage order," he explained. "Ambassador Alfonso Ver also took the lead in speaking with attendees at the hall entrances and helping organise the queues to manage the flow of people. Announcements were made regularly during the programme to inform them of alternative solutions." According to Bautista, in DMW's effort to make services accessible to more people, it did not make pre-registration mandatory on the assumption that turnout would mirror previous events, where only about half of those who registered actually showed up. However, this decision, combined with wide online promotion and social media traction, led to an unmanageable surge of walk-ins. Need for improved planning Despite the chaos, the DMW reported that all clients who opted to wait were eventually served — with the final transaction completed at 1.45am the following day: Monday, August 4. A total of 5,742 individuals were assisted, and over 11,383 transactions were recorded. The agency acknowledged the need for improved planning moving forward, including implementing strict pre-registration, limiting daily capacity per service, and potentially expanding the event across multiple emirates or extending it over several days. "Despite our good intentions to cater to as many clients as possible, it is crucial to set the limit by requiring pre-registration per individual agency's set limit," said Bautista. He noted that a proposal is already in place to hold the next Caravan in Abu Dhabi, with a longer duration to better accommodate demand.
