One-stop China-Malta air connection

A new Emirates' non-stop flight between Dubai and Shanghai, the first direct passenger air link between the two cities, should enable the first ever one-stop connection between China and Malta, Paul Fleri Soler, Emirates' Malta manager, said during a presentation on Emirates' services to Shanghai.

The presentation, held at the China Cultural Centre, in Valletta, was hosted by Emirates and held under the patronage of Chinese ambassador Liu Zheng Xiu.

"Dubai enjoys a superb geographical location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia. Via Dubai, Emirates passengers from Shanghai will be able to connect easily to Emirates' destinations throughout Europe, including Malta, the Middle East, Africa and the Subcontinent," Mr Fleri Soler said.

Emirates' new passenger services to Shanghai, served by Airbus A340-300, with a cargo capacity of 13 tons, will further facilitate China's trade with the rest of the world, including Malta.

Supplementing the existing four weekly B747-400 freighter services to the Chinese city, the new service now flies daily.

This means that Emirates SkyCargo is offering 11 flights per week with a capacity of more than 570 tons. Mr Liu said: "Emirates connects with Shanghai by air and serves as a bridge between Malta, Dubai, and Shanghai. Likewise, the China Cultural Centre in Malta also serves as a bridge between Malta and Shanghai through cultural and trade relations".

Emirates operate three direct flights each week from Dubai to Malta, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays on Airbus A330-200.