Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Emirates and Air China, two aviation giants representing the United Arab Emirates and China respectively, have formalized a strategic framework to expand their long-standing partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 81st International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in New Delhi.
The MoU, signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Yan Fei, Air China’s Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, builds upon over 26 years of cooperation, dating back to 1999, and marks a new chapter of reciprocal interline and commercial collaboration.
Deepening Ties Between Two Major Global Carriers
Emirates and Air China’s partnership is rooted in shared goals to facilitate seamless travel and trade between the UAE and China, two of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. Adnan Kazim noted that since 2018, approximately 18,000 Emirates customers have benefitted from the existing interline arrangements, allowing smoother connections and expanded network access.
The MoU outlines intentions to explore reciprocal codeshare agreements on select routes, enabling both airlines to place their flight codes on each other’s services between major hubs like Beijing and Dubai, as well as expanding to additional cities beyond these trunk routes. This move will enhance passengers’ ability to book single-ticket itineraries, simplifying the journey and increasing destination options.
Expanding Network Reach and Enhancing Customer Experience
Emirates is significantly increasing its footprint in mainland China, with 49 weekly flights operating from 30 July 2025. These include double daily services to Beijing and Shanghai, alongside daily flights to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou. This expansion reflects the growing demand for travel and trade between the UAE and China and is aligned with the ambitions of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which seeks to enhance connectivity across Eurasia.
Yan Fei emphasized Air China’s commitment to this framework:
“Air China highly values cooperation with Emirates. This memorandum is an important milestone that supports the Belt and Road Initiative by expanding our route network and jointly promoting global connectivity.”
Passengers can expect a more integrated experience, including coordinated flight schedules, reduced minimum connecting times, and enhanced access to lounges and other premium services. The partnership will also develop collaborative strategies across cargo operations and frequent flyer loyalty programs, further benefiting both leisure and business travelers.
Sustainability and Innovation at the Core
Beyond commercial objectives, Emirates and Air China intend to collaborate on knowledge sharing in areas such as revenue management, data analytics, digitalization, brand management, and importantly, the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Both carriers are committed to reducing aviation’s environmental footprint in line with global standards promoted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and supported by their respective governments.
The UAE government’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure promotes sustainable development in aviation, including the adoption of SAF and innovative technologies to reduce emissions.
Similarly, China’s Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) emphasizes green growth strategies and carbon neutrality goals, encouraging airlines to invest in cleaner fuels and operational efficiencies.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations through Aviation
The agreement between Emirates and Air China also reinforces the strong diplomatic and economic ties between the UAE and China. Aviation plays a pivotal role in supporting bilateral trade, tourism, and cultural exchange, key pillars of the UAE-China Strategic Partnership.
By increasing direct and connecting flight options, the partnership supports the broader government vision to facilitate cross-border movement of people and goods, thus fostering greater economic integration.
The Broader Industry Context
This MoU is part of a global trend toward airline partnerships that enhance network breadth, optimize operations, and deliver better value to passengers. IATA supports such cooperation as essential to rebuilding the aviation sector post-pandemic, promoting connectivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
Emirates and Air China’s collaboration exemplifies how airlines can respond to evolving market demands while supporting international goals on climate action and digital transformation.
Conclusion
The Memorandum of Understanding between Emirates and Air China signifies a new phase in their 26-year partnership, focused on deeper codeshare cooperation, expanded network reach, enhanced customer benefits, and joint sustainability initiatives. With growing passenger demand and strengthened government support in both countries, this partnership is set to significantly boost travel and trade links between China and the UAE.
As Emirates continues to expand its mainland China presence and Air China leverages global connectivity, travelers and businesses alike will benefit from a more integrated and sustainable aviation network connecting two of the world’s most dynamic regions.
