The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

Dubai-based airline Emirates will operate non-stop flights from Dubai to Guangzhou, six times weekly except Fridays, from July 1.

A delegation of senior executives from Emirates arrived in Guangzhou to showcase the airline and Emirate of Dubai ahead of the launch of its services on July 1. They met government officials, VIPs, the travel trade industry, media and other stakeholders during the road-show.

The Emirates team was spearheaded by Richard Vaughan, senior vice president (Commercial Operations), East Asia and Australasia, Peter Sedgley, senior vice president (Cargo Commercial Operations) and Edwin Lau, vice president (Greater China).

Richard Vaughan said, "Dubai and Guangzhou share several common strands - both cities are of political, economic, cultural, and social importance in their respective regions. Guangzhou is positioned as an air travel hub for Guangdong and the South China provinces, and Dubai for the Middle East and increasingly on the global stage.

Bilateral trade between China and UAE reached US$20 billion in 2007, up by 40 per cent from the previous year. More than 200,000 Chinese live and work in Dubai and the city hosted more than 68,000 visitors between January and September 2007 alone.

Cargo is a key business driver for the airline and Emirates SkyCargo's services will offer a range of solutions for industries in Guangzhou and southern China. Emirates SkyCargo will offer more than 350 tonnes of monthly capacity in each direction, set to boost existing trade ties between Guangzhou and the UAE and spanning the airline's network.

Emites also is busy setting up the local office and recruiting an experienced and dedicated team in Guangzhou to offer passengers the airline's award-wining service at every customer touch-point.