Emirates Airline of the United Arab Emirates announced Monday to launch daily direct flights between Dubai and Shenzhen from July 1, becoming the first Middle Eastern carrier to operate a daily flight to the southern Chinese city.

According to the airline's media center, flight EK328 will depart Dubai at 10:05 a.m. local time and arrive in Shenzhen at 10:00 p.m., while EK329 will leave Shenzhen at 11:55 p.m., landing in Dubai at 3:40 a.m. Shenzhen will also be the first Chinese destination to feature Emirates' retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER.

Emirates Airline, which established direct air connectivity between Dubai and China in 2002, currently operates flights to Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.

Dubai saw 824,000 Chinese visitors in 2024, a 31 percent year-on-year increase.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates Airline's deputy president and chief commercial officer, highlighted the airline's commitment to strengthening business and tourism ties with China.

"Our expansion into Shenzhen opens new doors for business and economic exchange between this technological powerhouse and global markets," Kazim said, adding that he hoped the route would help to foster cultural bonds and unlock future economic potential.