Emirates has officially launched its new daily service to Shenzhen, marking the airline’s fourth gateway in mainland China and reinforcing its growth strategy in East Asia. The inaugural flight, EK328, landed at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport on July 1, where it was warmly welcomed by distinguished guests and media representatives.
Passengers aboard the inaugural flight from Dubai received special gifts and certificates to commemorate the event, according to a statement. Emirates now operates 42 weekly flights to four major cities in mainland China—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen—providing passengers and businesses with improved connectivity and travel options in and out of China.
Operated by a four-class Boeing 777-300ER, Emirates flight EK328 departs from Dubai at 10:05 AM, arriving in Shenzhen at 10:00 PM. The return flight, EK329, leaves Shenzhen at 11:55 PM, landing in Dubai at 3:40 AM the following day.
Flights to and from Shenzhen are conveniently scheduled to enable seamless connectivity to key destinations across Europe, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, leveraging Emirates’ extensive global network via its Dubai hub. Passengers can also easily connect to Emirates’ destinations in Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.
Strengthening China-UAE relations
Adnan Kazim, deputy president and chief commercial officer of Emirates Airline, expressed excitement about the new daily service to Shenzhen, highlighting it as one of China’s most dynamic and innovative cities. He stated, “This milestone reflects Emirates’ ongoing commitment to strengthening our presence in the Chinese mainland and supporting the country’s trade and tourism objectives. It is also aligned with the strengthening of China-UAE relations, and a strategic move to seamlessly connect the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s innovation corridor—an international innovation and technology hub that aims to attract global innovation resources through our flights.”
Kazim extended gratitude to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Shenzhen Airport Group, and local partners for their support in making this launch possible, noting that Emirates looks forward to connecting more travelers and businesses between Shenzhen and Dubai and across its growing network.
Passengers flying to Shenzhen will enjoy an elevated experience aboard one of Emirates’ enhanced Boeing 777s. The aircraft features 8 private suites in First Class, 40 lie-flat seats in Business Class, 24 seats in Premium Economy, and 260 spacious seats in Economy Class. Shenzhen is the first city in mainland China to receive Emirates’ retrofitted aircraft. The aircraft features upgraded cabin interiors and the award-winning Premium Economy. The new Business Class cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, offering aisle access to every passenger.
Boosting inbound visitors to the Greater Bay Area
Emirates has been serving China since 2004. The airline plays a significant role in facilitating seamless connectivity to over 50 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. This initiative further encompasses one-third of the 150 countries and regions participating in it. The expansion of the airline’s operations is expected to boost inbound visitor volumes to the Greater Bay Area. This increase will come from GCC countries and Africa. The expansion will also support industries such as smart manufacturing, e-commerce, and biopharmaceuticals. This support will be facilitated through a 72-hour global supply chain system.
The airline’s wide-body Boeing 777-300ER, used on the Dubai-Shenzhen route, offers 16 tonnes of cargo capacity per flight, further enhancing the “Aerial Silk Road” by integrating Shenzhen’s advanced manufacturing sector with Emirates’ global cargo network. The airline’s world-class cold chain capabilities will ensure the global accessibility and seamless transportation of perishable goods and pharmaceuticals.
The UAE is China’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, with bilateral trade reaching $95 billion in 2023. Aviation plays a critical role in the rapid growth of trade exchanges between the two nations. Emirates’ expansion into mainland China comes at an opportune time, as the comprehensive strategic partnership between the UAE and China deepens, enhancing cooperation across various sectors such as trade, technology, logistics, and investment.
Travelers from the GCC, including the UAE, can now visit China visa-free for up to 30 days. This allows Emirates customers to enjoy hassle-free planning for both business and leisure trips to mainland China. Emirates remains dedicated to facilitating convenient and seamless international connectivity in and out of mainland China, in line with its growth strategy for East Asia.
