Emirates Expands to Fifth Chinese City with New Hangzhou Route

TDT | Manama

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Emirates has added another link between Dubai and China with the launch of its new daily flight to Hangzhou, marking the airline’s fifth destination in the Chinese mainland and the second new route opened in less than a month, following Shenzhen.

Flight EK310 touched down at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport on July 30 to a warm welcome. Local officials and airport representatives greeted the aircraft with a traditional water cannon salute, while passengers received commemorative gifts, including keychains and Chinese tea sets.

The first flight carried travelers from across the Emirates network, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Italy, Spain, and Brazil. A VIP delegation of Emirates senior management and international media representatives were also on board.

“China is one of the world’s most important aviation markets, and Emirates is proud to support its growth,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Adding two new destinations in just one month highlights our commitment to strengthening our presence in the region. This expansion allows us to better connect people, businesses, and economies across Asia and the world.”

The new service, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, departs Dubai at 9:40 a.m. and lands in Hangzhou at 10:00 p.m. The return flight leaves Hangzhou shortly after midnight, arriving in Dubai at 4:55 a.m., providing convenient connections to more than 70 destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Boosting Trade and Cargo

Beyond passenger travel, the route is set to strengthen trade links. Each Emirates flight offers up to 16 tonnes of cargo space for high-value and time-sensitive shipments such as e-commerce products, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.

Hangzhou is a key hub for cross-border e-commerce and international trade, making it a strategic gateway for Chinese goods to reach markets in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America faster via Emirates’ Dubai hub.

With this latest addition, Emirates now operates 49 weekly flights to the Chinese mainland, reinforcing its role as a bridge between China and the rest of the world.