Emirates launches new route in East Asia

Emirates is expanding its footprint in mainland China with the launch of a new daily service to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. Starting July 30, 2025, Hangzhou will become the airline’s fifth destination in mainland China, reinforcing its strategy to connect major economic and cultural hubs in East Asia with the Middle East and beyond.

This move follows an aggressive expansion into the Chinese aviation market, with Emirates currently operating services to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The addition of Hangzhou not only increases the airline’s weekly frequencies into the country but also signals a deeper commitment to bolstering trade and tourism between China and the UAE.

New Boeing 777-300ER flights to offer daily access between Dubai and Hangzhou

Emirates will deploy its three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the new route, offering a total of 2,478 seats weekly across first class, business class, and economy. Flight EK310 is scheduled to depart Dubai International Airport at 9:40 a.m. and will arrive at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at 10:00 p.m. The return leg, EK311, will leave Hangzhou at 12:10 a.m. and land in Dubai at 4:55 a.m.

This service is expected to play a key role in meeting the growing demand for business and leisure travel between China and the Middle East. The selection of Hangzhou as the next stop aligns with the airline’s focus on cities that combine economic vitality with strategic connectivity potential.

Hangzhou’s role as a commercial and cultural hub offers strategic advantages

Hangzhou is known for its dynamic economy, driven by sectors such as e-commerce, advanced manufacturing, and fintech. As the home base of major technology players like Alibaba, the city represents a pivotal junction in China’s digital economy.

By launching a direct flight into Hangzhou, Emirates taps into a high-value market that supports its broader vision of connecting commercial capitals along the Belt and Road corridor. The route is expected to see strong uptake from entrepreneurs, business travelers, and government delegates, in addition to tourists drawn to Hangzhou’s scenic and cultural attractions.

Emirates intensifies its competitive position with 49 weekly flights to China

With the addition of the Hangzhou route, Emirates will operate 49 weekly flights into mainland China. This includes double daily flights to both Beijing and Shanghai and daily services to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and soon Hangzhou.

This level of frequency reflects Emirates’ continued focus on high-demand East Asia markets and represents one of the most extensive Chinese networks of any Middle Eastern carrier. By maintaining a robust schedule, Emirates is positioning itself to accommodate growing cargo volumes and passenger flows as post-pandemic recovery continues across Asia.

The economic implications of the new route are substantial. Strengthened air links between Dubai and Hangzhou support bilateral trade flows, offering businesses in both regions more efficient logistics and increased flexibility. Emirates SkyCargo is likely to capitalize on this development, using the new route to transport high-value electronics, apparel, and time-sensitive perishables.

Sources:
FlightGlobal
Emirates Newsroom