04 March 2008
Dubai: The ancient city of Guangzhou, now China's economic powerhouse, will join Emirates' sprawling six-continent non-stop network on July 1.
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.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, spoke about the rationale of launching services into the city,
"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 pro-vinces, which significantly expands our span and reach," said Shaikh Ahmad.
"The Emirates Group is no stranger to Guangzhou, as through our subsidiary in Singapore, Changi International Airport Services, we hold a 20 per cent stake in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Hand-ling Co., which provides ground handling services at the airport," he added.
Starting July 1, 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 October 1, Emirates will also fly the route on Fridays. From December 1 the airline will fly daily to Guangzhou with an A340-300 aircraft in a three-class configuration - 12 seats in first class, 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.
Guangzhou is the third largest air travel hub in China and the capital of the Guangdong province. Earning the moniker 'Factory of the world', Guangdong province has the largest GDP and the highest value of exports, attracting a high percentage of foreign direct investments and nearly 200 Fortune 500 companies.
By Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
