There is as yet no official confirmation ofEmirates Airlines. But according to the American press agency Bloomberga source at the Dubai-based carrier has announced a likely future service to Shenzhen and Hangzhou in China. These two cities will be served by the end of the first half of the year.
Of particular interest would be the service to Shenzhen, which has become the largest economic metropolis in southern China at the gateway to Hong Kong. Emirates is also considering launching frequencies on Chengdu in Sichuan.
Strategic Chinese expansion
This Chinese expansion comes at a time when a large number of European airlines have reduced their flightsdue to the Russian overflight ban. This is an opportunity for Emirates to get back a slice of the cake left vacant by the Europeans.
If these three destinations are indeed inaugurated in the coming months, Emirates' network to China to double by 2025. The airline currently only serves three cities: Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Still in Asia, Emirates considers the opening of flights to Danang, Vietnam's third largest city, and Siem Reap in Cambodia. The first step would be to direct flights. These two routes would include a stopover elsewhere in South-East Asia (e.g. Bangkok or Singapore). In fact, neither Danang nor Siem Reap currently have enough potential for a non-stop flight.
Elsewhere in the world, the company is considering launching routes on Brazzaville and Kinshasa. However, the current political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo could call these African openings into question. In Europe, the carrier would like to land at Helsinkione of the few capitals not yet served by Emirates.
All these routes will depend heavily on the delivery of new aircraft. Emirates is faced, like the rest of the industry, with the failures of Boeing and Airbus.
And finally.., Emirates has postponed the introduction of an Airbus A350-900 on the Lyon-Dubai route until 1 June. Originally, the new aircraft was due to arrive in the Rhone metropolis on 30 March.
