China and the UAE are considering more flights to boost economic and tourism connections

China and UAE to Increase Flights, Boosting Trade and Tourism Ties

China and the United Arab Emirates are seeking to increase bilateral air traffic rights after years of stagnant travel growth, a move that would significantly boost trade and tourism between the two nations.

Officials from both sides will meet in Beijing in the coming weeks to discuss granting airlines more flights between the two countries, according to people familiar with the matter. Both China and the UAE want more connections after the current limit of 56 flights per country per week was reached, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

No specific increase has been determined yet, according to one of the sources, and the exact outcome of the talks isn’t certain.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China did not respond to a request for comment. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority stated there are about 100 weekly flights between the two countries and emphasized a “long-standing bilateral relationship and a comprehensive economic partnership, reinforced by extensive cooperation and coordination across all sectors, including air transportation.” The authority did not comment on future talks with China.

Increasing air traffic between China and the UAE would benefit the broader Middle East region, especially as countries like Saudi Arabia see a surge in Chinese visitors and investment. Emirates, which already operates its maximum of 35 flights a week to China, would be one of the greatest beneficiaries, along with China Southern Airlines Co., which currently flies to the UAE 20 times a week.

China is also keen to attract more foreign visitors post-Covid as international tourism has been slow to resume. To enhance China’s appeal, Beijing has granted dozens of countries visa waivers and removed some of the bureaucratic hurdles around visa applications.

The UAE was one of the first places where Chinese carriers restored overseas flight capacity after the pandemic.

Of the seven carriers that fly between China and the UAE, only Etihad Airways PJSC isn’t using its full allotment, flying 10 times a week out of a possible 21.

As well as boosting commerce between the two economies, lifting the ceiling on flights would allow earlier business plans to proceed.

China Eastern Airlines Co. and Etihad, for example, announced in June that they plan to expand routes between the two countries. But the Shanghai-based carrier needs to first start flights to Abu Dhabi, where there are currently no extra bilateral rights.

Forward seat booking data from Cirium shows that for China, excluding domestic and Asia regional flights, Dubai is forecast to be the busiest international route by volume this month.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has been incentivizing carriers to launch direct routes into the kingdom as it looks to boost tourism from China. China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China Ltd. started regularly scheduled flights to the Gulf country earlier this year.

The potential increase in flights would not only bolster trade and tourism but also foster stronger economic ties between China and the UAE. These discussions reflect the growing importance of enhancing connectivity to support economic growth and bilateral relations. The Middle East, with its strategic location and expanding economies, stands to gain significantly from improved air links with China, the world’s second-largest economy.

Furthermore, the move aligns with China’s broader strategy to deepen its engagement with the Middle East, which has become an increasingly important region for Chinese investments and geopolitical interests. Enhanced air connectivity would facilitate smoother business operations and tourism exchanges, contributing to the economic dynamism of both regions.

The upcoming discussions in Beijing between Chinese and UAE officials to increase bilateral air traffic rights are poised to significantly impact trade, tourism, and economic relations between the two nations. The potential increase in flight connections would benefit not only China and the UAE but also the broader Middle East region, highlighting the strategic importance of improved connectivity in today’s globalized economy.