Dubai: China Eastern Airlines made the first landing in its new service to Dubai International Airport on Monday, making it the 131st airline to do so.
Flying from Kunming International Airport in Yunnan province of China, the airline started the service to Dubai with three flights a week, and plans to raise them to four as passenger demand increases.
"China improved the province to be a bridge between China and the Middle East," Li Hanbai, vice governor of Yunnan, said to reporters after the inaugural flight to Dubai. He said the flights would increase business relations and bilateral trade.
The airline will operate its Boeing 767-300 on the Yunnan-Dubai route, serving the 40 million Chinese in the province.
Trade between the two countries hit $14 billion (Dh52 billion), as China is one of the largest trading partners of the UAE.
"We consider China one of the most important destinations. The bilateral agreement between us is coming to a good result. This is the fourth airline from China and will promote tourism and trade between the two countries," Jamal Al Hai, senior vice-president of Dubai airport, said. Other Chinese airlines that fly to Dubai include Air China and China Southern.
Earlier this month, China Eastern completed its merger with former local rival Shanghai Airlines in a deal of over 150 billion yuan (Dh81 billion).
The consolidated new carrier has a fleet of 331 aircraft and will operate flights to 151 cities.
DIA experienced growth of nine per cent in passenger numbers last year and announced a total of 40.9 million passengers passing through its gates.
Al Hai predicts the airport will have growth of 15 per cent this year.
