More Flights To Operate Between UAE, China

The UAE and China have agreed to increase the number of flights between the two countries as per a new agreement signed by their aviation authorities.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) signed a record of discussion with the Chinese government to allow increased airspace mobility, which is hoped to boost trade and investment between the two countries.

The two nations also agreed to increase flights to the Chinese cities of Urumqi, Kashgar, Yinchuan and Zhengzhou in order to keep up with higher demand and growth in air traffic.

Officials from Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline, Air Arabia, and flydubai attended the signing ceremony.

Laila Ali Hareb Al Muhairi, executive director of strategy and international affairs, said that the UAE-China air transport agreement has a huge potential.

According to the UAE’s national bureau of statistics, the country recorded around 361,000 visitors from China during the first quarter of 2012.

Trade ties between the countries are growing as UAE exports to China exceeded Dhs1 billion with imports reaching Dhs54 billion in 2012. The UAE is China’s largest export market in the Gulf and bilateral trade between the two countries touched more than $40 billion in 2012.

Earlier this year, China Southern Airlines, which operates a daily service from Dubai to Guangzhou, announced a 72-hour free transit visas to travellers from 45 countries including the UAE. The Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai already allow visitors to stay for 72 hours without an entry-visa.

China also continues to be a source market for the UAE’s tourism.

According to Dubai’s Department of Trade and Commerce (DTCM), guest numbers from China rose 15.8 per cent during the first half of this year and the figure is expected to rise 31 per cent annually.