Air China inaugural flight lands at Dubai International Airport

On behalf of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group, Mr Mohammad Ahli, Director, Operations, DCA received the delegation on board the flight. Air China is coming to Dubai for the first time and back to the UAE after a 13 year gap.

Mr Ahli commented, "The Department of Civil Aviation welcomes Air China to Dubai. We look forward to forging a new relationship and bringing in new business partners. We strive to provide the highest standards of service to all our customers. The economy of China and Dubai are both booming currently and this will further boost our trade and tourism."

HE Yang Weiguo, Consul General of China in Dubai, commented, "We have 65,000 Chinese living in Dubai. The UAE and China have very good relations in terms of trade. This is a very good step towards further improving our business and tourism. In the year 2003, total trade conducted between the two countries amounted to US $ 5.8 billion. This is expected to go up to US $ 8 billion in 2004 and US $ 10 billion by 2005. When China Town in Dubai opens, it will be the largest distribution market of Chinese products outside of China."

Mr Li Hu Xiao, Senior Vice President of Air China, who came on board the inaugural flight, commented, "This is the right time for Air China to come back to the UAE. With the opening of China Town on December 6th, 2004, we expect the number of Chinese living in Dubai to go up to 120,000."

Air China will be operating Boeing 767-200 thrice weekly to Dubai on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. It has a total fleet strength of 147 aircraft. In the year 2003 it carried six million passengers.

Dubai International Airport now receives 106 airlines connecting to nearly 150 destinations.