Emirates is expanding its services in mainland China with four weekly flights to Yinchuan (INC) and Zhengzhou (CGO) utilizing a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, starting from May 3.

These services will offer new international connectivity for two of China’s fastest growing cities, and expand Emirates’ destination offering on the mainland to five, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia, lies to the west of the Yellow River and to the east of Helan Mountain. With a large Muslim population, it serves as a gateway connecting China to Arabic countries, and is positioned as a hub for economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchange between China and the Middle East.

Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province and a major transportation interchange for central China, is an educational, technological and economic center. The second largest city in central China, Zhengzhou’s strategic location has enabled the city to become one of the largest economic hubs in China.

“With the opening of these new strategic routes, Emirates looks forward to contributing to the enhancement of China’s trade links with the rest of the world, in particular with the UAE and Arab world. We believe the new international air links that we are launching will help create tourism and trade opportunities for Chinese business and leisure travelers that may not otherwise exist,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

Emirates’ new services will connect Yinchuan and Zhengzhou with many new destinations via a convenient connection in Dubai, and help boost trade and tourism flows to the growing central and western parts of China where these cities are located.

The services will be operated by a three class configured Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, offering 266 seats and 14 tons of cargo capacity in the bellyhold.