Emirates launches first A380 flight to Beijing

Emirates launched (01-Aug-2010) its first scheduled A380 service to China - Beijing Capital International Airport - with the carrier stating the move "signalled its commitment to support the growing trade and tourism relationship between Dubai and China". The 517-seat A380 will operate on the route daily. Emirates operates twice daily services each to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and daily services to Guangzhou, while the airline's fleet of 11 A380s are operating on services from Dubai to London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Toronto, Seoul, Bangkok, Beijing, Jeddah, Sydney and Auckland.[more]

Emirates: "Seven years ago we were the first airline to open a non-stop link between the Middle East and mainland China.Today we celebrate another first with the arrival of our A380 to Beijing, this momentous touchdown of the world's largest aircraft not only reiterates Emirates' commitment to the development of the China market, but also begins a new era for China's civil aviation," Richard Jewsbury, Senior VP Commercial Operations, Far East and Australasia. Source: Company Statement, 01-Aug-2010.