Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, signalled its commitment to support the growing trade and tourism relationship between Dubai and China with the arrival of flight EK306 at Beijing Capital International Airport, marking the first scheduled Airbus A380 service to China and the world’s first scheduled super jumbo service to China

The world’s largest commercial aircraft landed in the world’s most populous country to a water cannon welcome, which was attended by VIPs from Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA), Beijing Terminal 3 and various media.

During the welcome ceremony, Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Far East and Australasia, stated that “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”.

The 517-seat A380 operates as EK 306 departing Dubai daily at 4.10am, touching down in the Chinese capital city at 3.10pm. The return flight, EK 307 leaves Beijing Capital International Airport at 11.55pm, and lands in Dubai at 4.20am the following day.

During the flight, passengers will be having the opportunity to enjoy Emirates’ award-winning ICE (information, communication, entertainment). In addition to the entertainment, passengers can also enjoy the delicacies from the exclusive Chinese menu.

Currently Emirates operates double-daily services each to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and daily services to Guangzhou; while the airline’s fleet of 11 A380s is currently operating on services from Dubai to London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Toronto, Seoul, Bangkok, Beijing, Jeddah, Sydney and Auckland.

Emirates Airline flies daily between Dubai and Malta. Flight EK 108 leaves Malta at 3.40pm and arrives in Dubai at 0.40am the following day, after a short stopover in Larnaca, Cyprus.