Airline overview
Emirates is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. It began commercial operations on 25 October 1985, flying leased Boeing 737 and Airbus A300 aircraft on its first routes from Dubai to Karachi and Mumbai. The company is headquartered in Dubai and operates from its dedicated Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB) as part of the Emirates Group, which also includes the ground handler dnata. Its IATA code is EK, its ICAO code is UAE, and it is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. The website is emirates.com, where flight and cargo information is published.
Emirates is the largest international airline in the world and has long ranked first by international scheduled revenue passenger kilometers. It is the largest Airbus A380 operator, with a fleet built on the Boeing 777, Airbus A380 and A350 widebodies; it operates no narrowbodies, so every passenger and cargo flight is flown by a widebody. Cargo is sold under the Emirates SkyCargo brand at skycargo.com, with 11 Boeing 777F dedicated freighters in service and five wet-leased Boeing 747 freighters adding capacity.
For Chinese shippers Emirates is a key transit carrier linking China with the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The airline currently flies nonstop from five Chinese airports, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, to Dubai, 49 flights a week, while SkyCargo freighters run scheduled services from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Zhengzhou. Chinese exports can reach more than 80 countries through Dubai.
Dubai hub ring contents
Dubai sits at the junction of Europe, Asia and Africa. With DXB as its center, Emirates feeds cargo from Chinese airports into the Middle East transit network and distributes it onward to Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Hub
Cargo from China flies nonstop from five airports to Dubai and is distributed worldwide after transfer at the SkyCargo terminal.
Company history and global hub position
Emirates first flew on 25 October 1985 with two leased aircraft and three routes. It was established with the backing of the Dubai government, and the group ground handler dnata provides airport ground services and cargo terminal operations. Nearly 40 years on it is the largest international airline in the world and has long ranked first by international scheduled revenue passenger kilometers.
Terminal 3 at Dubai International opened in 2008 and is Emirates' dedicated base. The airline flies an all-widebody fleet of Boeing 777, Airbus A380 and Airbus A350 aircraft, is the largest A380 operator in the world and operates no narrowbodies. Its network covers more than 80 countries on six continents, with Dubai at the junction of Europe, Asia and Africa.
China-UAE trade overview
China is one of the UAE's largest trading partners, and Chinese exports to the UAE and onward through the UAE to the Middle East and Africa keep growing. Jebel Ali Port and Dubai International together form a sea-air channel: Chinese cargo can fly into Dubai and be distributed from there, or arrive by sea at Jebel Ali and move on.
UAE re-export trade covers the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and Dubai is the region's re-export center. Chinese exporters use the Dubai transit network to distribute to Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the east coast of Africa and the Indian subcontinent, and Emirates SkyCargo freighter services are among the fastest air channels available.
Passenger schedule to China
Emirates currently operates 49 weekly flights nonstop to mainland China across five airports. The table summarizes the passenger schedule to China.
| Leg | Flight number | Weekly frequency | Typical aircraft | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai DXB to Beijing PEK | EK306 / EK307 series | 2 flights daily | A380 / 777 | One of the two daily flights returns to the A380 from October 2026 |
| Dubai DXB to Shanghai PVG | EK302 / EK303 series | 2 flights daily | A380 | The Shanghai route is the airline's core widebody route in China |
| Dubai DXB to Guangzhou CAN | EK362 / EK363 | 1 flight daily | A380 | A380 service resumes from 1 October 2026 |
| Dubai DXB to Shenzhen SZX | EK384 / EK385 series | 1 flight daily | 777 | Service resumed in July 2025; Shenzhen was the first destination for the refurbished cabin |
| Dubai DXB to Hangzhou HGH | EK380 / EK381 series | 1 flight daily | 777 | New route opened in July 2025 |
SkyCargo freighter schedule to China
Emirates SkyCargo runs scheduled freighter services from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Zhengzhou, the main cargo channel for Chinese exports distributed worldwide through Dubai.
| Freighter point | Weekly frequency | Aircraft type | Cargo flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai DXB to Shanghai PVG | 6 flights per week | Boeing 777F | Main departure airport for high-value and e-commerce exports from China |
| Dubai DXB to Guangzhou CAN | 4 flights a week | Boeing 777F | Heavy concentration of consumer electronics, appliances and e-commerce cargo |
| Dubai DXB to Beijing PEK | 2 flights per week | Boeing 777F | Departure point for North China exports |
| Dubai DXB to Zhengzhou CGO | 3 flights per week | Boeing 777F | Electronics manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce cargo |
SkyCargo serves nine freighter points in East Asia with 44 freighter movements a week, the densest part of its global network. Beyond freighters, widebody passenger belly capacity also carries cargo, so Chinese exports can be booked on either freighters or passenger bellies.
Widebody fleet and cargo capability
The Emirates fleet is entirely widebody. Passenger widebodies carry cargo in the belly alongside passengers and are the main capacity for urgent high-value shipments from China. On the cargo side SkyCargo operates 11 Boeing 777F freighters and wet-leases five Boeing 747 freighters to add regional and peak-season capacity.
The Boeing 777F is the backbone of the SkyCargo freighter fleet, with a main deck that takes high-value and e-commerce cargo. The airline operates no Boeing 747 freighters of its own; the five 747s are wet-leased additions. High-value exports from China are matched to 777F freighters first, and urgent shipments to the belly of A380 and 777 passenger aircraft.
Three-way capacity comparison
Dubai two-ring network diagram
The diagram shows the two-ring structure around the Dubai hub: the inner ring is the Dubai urban area and the outer ring the arc of global destinations, with Chinese airports feeding the inner ring on heavy arcs.
Peak season and capacity booking
The retail peak in the Middle East and Europe runs from late in the third quarter into the fourth, concentrating cross-border e-commerce and holiday consumer goods. Capacity on SkyCargo freighters from Shanghai and Guangzhou tightens, and exporters need to secure freighter space two to four weeks ahead; belly capacity also tightens in peak season.
Beyond the retail peak, the Dubai Shopping Festival and the period around UAE National Day lift import volumes. We advise regular customers to sign annual agreements before peak season to lock base capacity, with temporary increases covered by extra wet-leased 747 sections and charters.
Cargo moving from China through Dubai
Dubai is a Middle East transit hub. Cargo from China arrives on SkyCargo freighters or widebody bellies and is distributed to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Consumer electronics and appliances
Consumer electronics, appliances and telecom equipment are the high-value core of Chinese exports through Dubai to the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and suit 777F freighters.
E-commerce and fast fashion
Cross-border e-commerce cargo and fast-fashion small goods ship in volume on the Shanghai and Guangzhou freighters, with Dubai transit covering the Gulf and European final destinations.
Urgent high-value shipments
Urgent high-value and temperature-controlled cargo suits A380 and 777 belly capacity, with several flights a day and stable transit times.
Booking path from China
Booking from China to Dubai
SkyCargo freighters run six times a week from Shanghai, four from Guangzhou, twice from Beijing and three from Zhengzhou, with several daily passenger belly departures from all five airports, all connecting through Dubai to the rest of the world.
Step 1: routing and capacity match
We match the commodity, weight and destination to SkyCargo freighters or passenger belly capacity and plan the Dubai transit leg.
Step 2: handover at the Chinese airport
The shipper delivers at Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou or another airport, and we handle export declaration and secure freighter space.
Step 3: Dubai transit and distribution
On arrival in Dubai cargo transits the SkyCargo terminal and is distributed to Europe, Africa, the Middle East or South Asia, with the waybill traceable throughout.
Our services for the Dubai lane
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited has long handled air freight from China to Dubai. For the Emirates and SkyCargo network we provide the following.
Consolidation at China ports and export customs declaration
Shippers can deliver at Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou and nearby airports, and we handle consolidation, export declaration and booking on Emirates flights or SkyCargo freighters. Electronics and e-commerce cargo are matched to the Shanghai and Guangzhou freighters first.
Dubai transit tracking and global distribution
The shipment is tracked from departure in China. After arrival in Dubai it transits the SkyCargo terminal and connects to onward flights to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. If the carrier changes its schedule we notify the shipper and adjust the plan.
Document and compliance pre-check
Transit documents must meet UAE and final destination declaration requirements. Lithium battery products are packed and declared under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Regular customers can sign annual agreements to lock peak-season capacity.
Dubai transit and final distribution
Cargo flies nonstop from China to Dubai, is handled at the SkyCargo Dubai terminal and connects to onward flights to final destinations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Dubai transit usually takes one to two days depending on the connecting flight, and the waybill can be tracked online throughout.
For Chinese cross-border e-commerce sellers, Dubai transit is an efficient channel covering the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We can handle the whole chain: consolidation in China, export declaration, the nonstop, Dubai transit and final distribution, so the shipper does not have to deal with a local Dubai agent.
UAE import compliance and packaging
The UAE applies standard certification requirements to imports, and some electronics and building materials need specific approvals. Chinese exporters must make sure the declared description and value match the goods before shipping to avoid cargo being held for document discrepancies. Lithium battery products must be packed and declared under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Summer temperatures in the Middle East are high, so electronics and temperature-sensitive cargo need protective packaging. We offer packaging checks at the export airport and help the shipper prepare packaging to destination requirements. Transit cargo must have main waybill details consistent with the final destination to avoid amendment delays at Dubai.
Schedule connections between Dubai and five Chinese airports
Beijing and Shanghai have two daily passenger flights, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou one each, alongside freighters six times a week from Shanghai, four from Guangzhou, twice from Beijing and three from Zhengzhou, so Chinese exports can leave from several airports on the same working day. We choose the nearest airport to the cargo to shorten the domestic road leg.
Cargo from central and western China can use the Zhengzhou freighter, South China the Guangzhou and Shenzhen airports, East China Shanghai and Hangzhou, and North China Beijing. With five airports and a clear division between freighter and passenger capacity, we plan the best routing by consignee location and transit requirement.
How Emirates SkyCargo products are positioned
SkyCargo is the Emirates cargo brand, offering two products: freighters and passenger belly. The freighter product is built on the Boeing 777F and carries volume high-value and e-commerce cargo; the belly product follows widebody passenger flights and carries urgent, time-critical cargo. Both route through Dubai to connect China with the world.
For Chinese shippers, freighters suit volume electronics and appliance shipments with dense frequency, while belly space suits urgent high-value cargo with the same transit time as the passenger flight. We combine the two products to fit transit and cost requirements.
Global reach of the transit distribution
After Dubai, cargo is distributed to major European airports, the east and west coasts of Africa, the Gulf states, the Indian subcontinent and across the Atlantic to the Americas. SkyCargo runs its densest freighter network in East Asia and radiates worldwide from Dubai.
For Chinese exporters whose volumes do not justify a full pallet, consolidation at Dubai and onward distribution is the economical option. We can consolidate several shipments and distribute them together, lowering the cost per shipment.
Our end-to-end service and booking enquiries
As a China-based forwarder we do not operate Emirates flights. We design the whole route from China to Dubai for Chinese shippers and coordinate capacity on both sectors: the nonstop from the Chinese airport to Dubai, and the SkyCargo terminal transit and global distribution after arrival. The shipper books the whole journey with us once, instead of dealing separately with the first carrier and a Dubai distribution agent.
For exporters supplying the UAE and the Middle East year round we can sign annual cargo agreements that lock base capacity in peak season. If Emirates changes its schedule or Dubai has public holidays, we notify the shipper promptly and adjust the onward plan so cargo still reaches its final destination as planned.
What the China business means to Emirates
Emirates treats China as one of the most important markets in its global network. It opened its first nonstop passenger service to mainland China in 2004, resumed Shenzhen and added Hangzhou in July 2025, and brings the A380 back to Guangzhou and Beijing from October 2026, adding capacity to China continuously. SkyCargo has increased freighter frequencies to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing and Zhengzhou over the same period, with East Asia the densest freighter region in its global network.
For Chinese exporters Emirates is not only the carrier flying nonstop to Dubai but a global network channel through Dubai to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. We have long handled this lane and can serve shippers of different sizes, from single enquiries to full pallet charters. Actual schedules change with the traffic season and are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
Emirates and SkyCargo use Dubai as a hub to connect five Chinese passenger airports and four freighter points to the global transit network. Chinese exporters can choose between freighters and passenger belly capacity according to transit and cost requirements, with us coordinating booking and transit throughout.
We follow Emirates schedule and SkyCargo freighter changes closely and can give Chinese exporters stable capacity cover and prompt notice of routing changes.
From its Dubai hub Emirates connects Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou nonstop to Dubai and distributes cargo to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. We have long handled this lane and can provide booking and tracking across the whole journey.
Emirates cargo products fall into two groups: the 777F freighter and widebody belly. Volume cargo goes by freighter, urgent shipments by belly. We match capacity to transit requirements, and regular customers sign annual agreements to lock peak-season space.
We can select freighter or belly capacity by transit requirement and destination; enquiries and bookings are welcome.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does Emirates currently fly nonstop to China?
Yes. The airline operates 49 weekly flights nonstop to mainland China, with two a day from Beijing and Shanghai and one a day from Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou.
Does Emirates SkyCargo operate freighters in China?
Yes. SkyCargo operates 11 Boeing 777F freighters and serves Shanghai six times a week, Guangzhou four, Beijing twice and Zhengzhou three times.
How many A380s does Emirates operate?
The airline is the largest Airbus A380 operator in the world. The A380 flies the China routes to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, with A380 service returning to Guangzhou from October 2026.
Are there nonstop flights from Chengdu or Chongqing to Dubai?
No published information shows Emirates operating scheduled nonstop flights from Chengdu or Chongqing at present. Cargo can be consolidated at Shanghai or Guangzhou and shipped from there.
Which Chinese exports suit SkyCargo?
Consumer electronics, appliances, e-commerce cargo and urgent high-value shipments. Volume cargo goes by 777F freighter, urgent shipments by the daily passenger belly.
When were the Shenzhen and Hangzhou routes opened?
Shenzhen resumed and Hangzhou opened in July 2025. Shenzhen was the first destination for the refurbished cabin and Hangzhou a new airport for the airline; both have one nonstop flight a day to Dubai, with belly cargo moving on the daily passenger services.
When was Emirates founded?
It first flew on 25 October 1985. It is headquartered in Dubai and part of the Emirates Group, with Terminal 3 at Dubai International as its hub.
What is the Emirates website?
The passenger site is emirates.com and the cargo site is skycargo.com, both plain text domains with no links. Chinese shippers can also get capacity and rate information through us.
Disclaimer
Information here is for reference only and does not form a contract of carriage or a commercial commitment. Emirates route schedules, fleet configuration and cargo capability may change with management decisions and traffic seasons without notice. Flight times are local, and actual schedules and rates are subject to confirmation by the carrier or the relevant authority on the day of booking.
Contact details
For details of air freight from China to Dubai and the Middle East transit lane, or for booking help, contact Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) at goodhope86.com. Call any time for full booking plans and the latest rates for the China to Dubai lane.
Trademark notice
Emirates, Emirates SkyCargo and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Emirates Group. They are used here for identification and description only and do not indicate any agency, partnership or affiliation between the publisher and Emirates. Other airline names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.