Emirates to become first Middle Eastern carrier to fly daily to Shenzhen
March 3, 2025
This summer Emirates will expand its presence in Asia by launching a direct daily service to Shenzhen in China. In addition, the airline will also introduce four weekly flights to Da Nang in Vietnam and three weekly flights to Siem Reap in Cambodia, with both cities connected through Bangkok.
Commenting on the enhanced access to Southeast Asia and the broader East Asia region, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, said the expansion into Shenzhen “opens new doors for business and economic exchange between this technological powerhouse and global market.” The new service to Shenzhen will also facilitate valuable cargo traffic, particularly for advanced electronics and high-tech products that require specialised handling and expedited delivery.
Shenzhen will also be the first destination in China to receive Emirates’ retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, which debuted in September 2024. The aircraft features eight private suites in first class, 40 lie flat seats in business arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, 24 premium economy seats and 260 seats in economy.
Largest route network in East Asia
With the addition of these three new destinations, Emirates will boast the largest route network in East Asia among non-Asian airlines, offering 169 weekly flights from Dubai to 24 destinations across the region. The airline also made history in the region in 2022 as the first to establish direct air connectivity between the Middle East and the Chinese mainland, with its Dubai-Shanghai service.
Kazim further emphasised that the expansion to Da Nang, the airline’s third destination in Vietnam follows the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Vietnam. He expressed his confidence that the new service will “will elevate the existing bilateral trade and commercial collaboration between our nations.” Meanwhile, the addition of Siem Reap, home to the iconic Angkor Wat passengers will offer passengers a gateway to one of Cambodia’s most popular tourist destinations.
Seamless connectivity
Kazim concluded, “The addition of all three new gateways strengthens Emirates’ links, giving customers more choice and ensuring seamless and convenient connections to and from one of China’s largest cities, Vietnam’s emerging economic and leisure hubs, and Cambodia’s touristic treasures.”
