China and the United Arab Emirates are seeking to expand air traffic rights between the two countries following years of sluggish travel demand, a move that will aim to boost trade and tourism between the two countries.
China and the UAE are considering increasing air links to strengthen economic and tourism ties (File photo/Reuters) {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
Officials from the two countries are scheduled to meet in Beijing in the coming weeks to discuss allowing airlines to operate more flights between the two countries, according to people familiar with the matter. Both China and the UAE want more flights between the two countries after they have run out of 56 weekly flights, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private.
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No specific increase had been decided and the exact outcome of the talks was unclear, one of the people said.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China did not respond to a request for comment.The UAE General Authority of Civil Aviation said the two countries have around 100 weekly flights and “long-standing bilateral relations and comprehensive economic partnership strengthened by extensive cooperation and coordination across all sectors, including air transport.” It did not comment on upcoming talks with China.
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With countries such as Saudi Arabia experiencing a surge in Chinese tourists and investment, increased air traffic between China and the UAE would be beneficial for the entire region. Emirates, which already operates 35 weekly flights to China, would be one of the biggest beneficiaries, along with China Southern, which currently operates 20 weekly flights to the UAE.
China is also eager to attract more foreign tourists post-COVID, as international tourism has been slow to resume. To boost China’s appeal, Beijing has granted visa exemptions to dozens of countries and scrapped some visa red tape.
The UAE was one of the first places where Chinese airlines resumed overseas flight capacity following the pandemic.
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Of the seven airlines operating between China and the UAE, only Etihad Airways PJSC has not used its full allocation, operating just 10 of its 21 weekly flights.
Raising the limit will not only boost trade between the two countries but also allow them to go ahead with previous business plans.
For example, China Eastern Airlines and Etihad Airways announced plans in June to expand routes between the two countries, but the Shanghai-based carrier first needs to start flying to Abu Dhabi, which currently has no bilateral add-on rights.
Excluding domestic China and regional Asia flights, Dubai is expected to be the busiest international route this month, according to Cirium forward seat booking data.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is encouraging airlines to offer direct service to the country in an effort to attract more Chinese tourists. China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air China began scheduled flights to the Gulf nation earlier this year.
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News / Lifestyle / Travel / China and UAE consider increasing flight frequencies to strengthen economic and tourism ties
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