Emirates to launch Flights to Guangzhou in July

The ancient city of Guangzhou, now one of China's economic powerhouses, is to join Emirates' non-stop network on 1st July this year.

Slated to play an important role in the 100-plus destinations on Emirates' route map, Guangzhou will be Emirates' fourth gateway in China, after Shanghai , Beijing and Hong Kong.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said, "Guangzhou is a vital link in our strategic plans for both China and the Asia Pacific region. The city has been on our radar for some time as it is the heartbeat of the Guangdong Province and hums with its political, socio-economic, scientific, educational and cultural life. Guangzhou serves as an air travel hub for Guangdong and the South China provinces, which significantly expands our span and reach.

"The Emirates Group is no stranger to Guangzhou, as through our subsidiary in Singapore, Changi International Airport Services, we hold a 20% stake in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Handling Co., which provides ground handling services at the airport."

Starting 1st July, Emirates' EK362 will fly non-stop to Guangzhou four times weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays with an Airbus A330-200 in a two class configuration - 27 seats in Business and 251 in Economy. Beginning 1st October, Emirates will also fly the route on Fridays.

From 1st December the airline will fly daily to Guangzhou with an A340-300 aircraft in a three-class configuration - 12 seats in First, 42 in Business and 213 in Economy - on six days, and an A330-200 on the seventh in a three-class configuration - 12 in First, 42 in Business and 183 in Economy.

EK362 will take-off from Dubai at 10:35 hours and arrive in Guangzhou at 22:20 hours, turning around at 23:55 hours to arrive in Dubai at 03:40 hours, next day.

Emirates' services to Guangzhou will conveniently connect travellers from Europe, particularly those from UK, France, Germany and Switzerland, and American cities New York and Houston. Travellers from Africa and the Middle East, particularly Cape Town, Lagos, Cairo, Amman, Kuwait, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Beirut, are also well-served with a four to seven hour connection in Dubai.

Cargo is an integral part of Emirates' overall strategy for every destination and Guangzhou is no different. In 2006, trade between Guangzhou and UAE touched US$2.9 billion, with textiles, shoes, medicines, machinery, equipments, and metals all being part of the commodity mix. Emirates SkyCargo's range of solutions and 13- to 15-tonne capacity is expected to up the ante on the existing trade ties between Guangzhou and the UAE as well as the rest of the airline's network.

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