Middle Eastern carrier Emirates is expanding its mainland China reach with a fifth destination, intending to operate to Hangzhou.
Emirates plans to open the daily Dubai-Hangzhou service on 30 July – subject to government confirmation – and deploy Boeing 777-300ERs on the route.
Deputy president Adnan Kazim says the expansion is a “pivotal moment” for its Chinese and East Asian network.
“Hangzhou will open doors to new opportunities for our passenger and cargo operations, further strengthening the vital economic and technological exchanges between the Middle East and China,” he says.
Emirates already operates to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
While Hangzhou is smaller than these four major cities, it lies just 150km from Shanghai. It is a centre for the technology industry, and the headquarters of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group.
Emirates’ Hangzhou service will bring its weekly mainland China flights to 49.
The 777-300ERs on the new route will be configured with 354 seats in three classes, including eight in the first-class and 42 in the business-class cabin.
“This expansion is part of our global growth strategy and positions Emirates as the preferred airline when linking the world to the Chinese mainland’s thriving economic corridors and beyond,” says Kazim.
