The world’s most populous country, China, will fittingly receive the aviation world’s largest commercial aircraft with the start of Emirates’ A380 Dubai-Beijing-Dubai services on August 1, 2010.
The new service signals the first A380 operation to China and follows an impressive series of A380-firsts to New Zealand, Thailand and Korea by the Dubai-based airline.
The 517-seater A380 will be deployed on the existing EK 306 service which departs Dubai daily at 4.10 am, touching down in the Chinese capital city at 3.10 pm. Return flight EK 307 takes off from Beijing Capital International Airport at 11.55 pm, landing at Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport at 4.20 am the following day.
Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline noted: “This new operation bears testimony to our ongoing commitment to China offering enhanced capacity to the world’s third-largest economy as it surges ahead with its international trade and development agenda.
“Trade between Dubai and China is on a steady rise. Also, the UAE is expecting a surge in incoming Chinese leisure groups after the Chinese government granted it ‘Approved Destination Status’ last year.
“Although our A380 will support the growing demand for air travel through capacity enhancements of almost 50 per cent, it will not be sufficient. We believe China’s blazing economic growth justifies a further expansion in aviation links.”
Dong Zhiyi, director and general manager of Beijing Capital International Airport said: “This is an important milestone for the future of Beijing Capital and aviation in China. We have made major investments to prepare this airport for new and larger aircraft.”