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Emirates, the Dubai-based international carrier, will launch a new route between Shanghai and Dubai next month ¨C the first direct passage between two of the world's fastest-growing markets.

Emirates will initially operate thrice weekly from April 10, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Daily flights will start from May 15.

Emirates' senior vice president, Commercial Operations East Asia and Australasia, Mr Richard Vaughan, notes that Shanghai is not only an international commerce hub, but also a buzzing centre for arts and cultural activities, making it an attractive destination for middle-eastern tourists and business travellers. Similarly, Dubai offers great entertainment and sporting options for the Chinese leisure market, and excellent business opportunities.

Mr Vaughan said: Shanghai and Dubai rank amongst the world's fastest-developing cities. Many Chinese business travellers already are familiar with the UAE (United Arab Emirates), while in Dubai there's a great deal of interest in fast-growing Shanghai. Emirates' new direct services will facilitate these travel flows in both directions and will encourage a greater exchange of business, tourism and culture.

Even though it is the first time that a direct passenger air link is established between the two cities, Emirates has been serving China with passenger flights to Hong Kong since 1991. Emirates SkyCargo flights to Shanghai started in 2002, and to Dalian since last year. Surging demand has led the airline recently to double the frequency of its freighter flights to Shanghai to four times a week.