Airline from UAE to launch 28 new weekly flights to China with five new destinations

An airline from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is opening five new destinations in China and increasing the number of weekly flights by 28. According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS, this is one of the largest expansions in a single market in recent years.

The carrier will begin operating flights from Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi to Shanghai (Pudong Airport), Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen. The total volume of operations in mainland China will reach 35 weekly flights across six destinations, including the existing daily service to Beijing (Daxing Airport).

It is noted that the increase in flights reflects the growing importance of the UAE–China route for trade, tourism and investment. Abu Dhabi is becoming a transit hub between China and the markets of the Middle East, Africa and other regions of the world. The launch of these routes expands access to China’s key commercial, industrial and technological centres.

These days, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is on an official visit to Beijing. The visit is aimed at further strengthening the long-standing ties between the UAE and China and underscores a shared commitment to deepening a comprehensive strategic partnership.

As noted by Professor Liu Zhongmin of the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at Shanghai International Studies University in an interview with Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS, trade cooperation between China and the UAE spans a wide range of sectors. Among the traditional areas is energy, while emerging fields include high technology, finance and artificial intelligence.

In addition, the two sides are actively cooperating on the internationalisation of the renminbi. In particular, the Chinese currency is already being used in settlements for energy resources.

According to the expert, China and the UAE have already achieved notable success in practical cooperation. According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the UAE ranks first among China’s export markets and second among its trading partners in the Middle East. According to updated information on the ministry’s website, from January to September 2025, bilateral trade totalled US$76.93 billion.