1st Dubai-Shenzhen flight lands safely as Gulf routes resume

A passenger flight from Dubai arrived in Shenzhen yesterday morning, marking the resumption of direct air links between the Middle Eastern hub and Shenzhen after services were suspended amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions. Flight CZ8436, operated by China Southern Airlines, touched down at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport at 11:25 a.m. Beijing Time yesterday, with 143 passengers on board. The flight resumptions follow coordinated efforts between Chinese and UAE authorities, according to the Chinese Embassy in Dubai. In recent days, carriers including Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Emirates have progressively restored direct connections between Dubai and multiple Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Kunming, Hong Kong, and Taipei.

Greeted by a friend, passenger Li (R) speaks to local media upon arrival at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport yesterday on Flight CZ8436 from Dubai yesterday. Liu Yujie