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Emirates has officially launched its new daily service to Shenzhen, marking its fourth gateway in mainland China and reinforcing its East Asia growth strategy.
The inaugural flight, EK328, a four-class enhanced Boeing 777‑300ER, touched down at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport on July 1.
Outbound from Dubai at 10:05am GMT+4, it arrived at 10pm GMT+8, with the return leg, EK329, departing Shenzhen at 11:55pm and landing in Dubai at 3:40am the next day.
Emirates flights to China
Emirates now operates 42 weekly flights to four mainland Chinese cities — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen — providing enhanced connectivity through its Dubai hub to key European destinations including London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam, as well as points in Kenya, Egypt, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
Deputy president and CCO Adnan Kazim said the new service reflects Emirates’ commitment to deepening its presence in China and supporting China-UAE trade and tourism.
Emirates has served China since 2004 and plays a major role in the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting over 50 countries.
Cargo capacity on Shenzhen flight
The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the Shenzhen route offers 16 tonnes of cargo capacity, reinforcing the so-called “Aerial Silk Road” by enabling transport of perishables and pharmaceuticals with cold-chain support.
The launch coincides with growing bilateral trade — $95bn in 2023 — with aviation serving as a key enabler of economic exchange.
Emirati travellers now enjoy visa-free access to China for up to 30 days, facilitating business and leisure travel. Analysts say Emirates’ route expansion aligns with strategic ambitions to deepen UAE–China cooperation in trade, technology, logistics, and investment.
Read: Emirates soars to further success: CCO Adnan Kazim on its growth and global reach
A350 service to Muscat begins
In parallel, Emirates has confirmed deployment of its new Airbus A350‑900 on the Dubai–Muscat route, commencing July 1, replacing the Boeing 777 service.
The carrier first introduced the A350 in January and plans it increasingly across its fleet following delivery delays for earlier deployments to Muscat, Bologna and Lyon.
The A350, seating 312 passengers across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes, brings quieter cabins, energy efficiency and enhanced inflight amenities.
Its rollout across the network supports Emirates’ broader strategy to modernise its fleet ahead of upcoming long‑range variants.
