Emirates launches Dubai service to Yinchuan and Zhengzhou

Dubai carrier Emirates has launched a new service to the Chinese cities of Yinchuan and Zhengzhou, expanding its offering in mainland China to five destinations.

The airline will offer flights to the two cities on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday departing from Dubai as EK326 at 02:50am.

After arriving at Yinchuan Hedong International Airport at 13:35, it will then depart at 15:35 to arrive at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport at 17:15.

The return flight, EK327, will leave Zhengzhou at 21:15, arriving at Yinchuan at 23:00. It will then depart Yinchuan at 00:40, arriving in Dubai at 04:30 local time the next day.

Chairman and chief executive His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum was on board the inaugural flight to the cities earlier today

“This new route will provide citizens in and near both cities with convenient and fast connections to destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Europe via Dubai,” he said. “We are confident the new air transport links will also help boost trade and tourism flows to the growing central and western parts of China where these cities are located.”

The new route is served by a Boeing 777,200LR aircraft, offering private suites for first class travellers for the first time between Yinchuan and Zhengzhou.

The craft is expected to transport popular local commodities using its 14 tonnes of cargo capacity including mobile phones from Zhengzhou and agricultural products such as goji berries and cashmere from Yinchuan.

The carrier said the new routes would support China’s belt and road initiative as it currently serves 30 of the 65 countries identified.

Emirates was the first Middle Eastern airline to establish non-stop connectivity to China via a freighter service to Shanghai in 2022. This was followed by passenger services to the city in 2004.