Emirates launches fifth route to Mainland China

Emirates has launched its new daily service to Hangzhou, marking its fifth gateway in the Chinese mainland and the second new destination added in under a month, following Shenzhen.

Operated by Boeing 777-300ER, flight EK310 landed at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport on July 30 to a warm welcome from local dignitaries, airport officials, and a ceremonial water cannon salute.

Passengers on the inaugural flight from Dubai were treated to commemorative keepsakes including keychains, certificates, and Chinese tea tasting sets to mark the occasion.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial Ooficer, commented on the launch: “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. This expansion also demonstrates the strong momentum our East and Southeast Asia growth strategy has gained over the past year.

“With rising demand, we’re optimistic our 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.”

Better cargo solutions

The Boeing 777-300ER wide-body aircraft offers up to 16 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity per flight, enabling the efficient transport of time-sensitive shipments such as e-commerce goods, pharmaceuticals, smart devices, and other high-value products.

As one of the world’s largest hubs for cross-border e-commerce, Hangzhou boasts a complete digital trade ecosystem and advanced logistics infrastructure, serving as a key international gateway for many 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 in Chinese mainland

With the addition of the new service, Emirates now operates 49 weekly flights to five major Chinese cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou.

And through interline and codeshare agreements with China Southern Airlines, Air China and Sichuan Airlines, Emirates provides enhanced connectivity to destinations beyond its own network across China.