The UAE's Etihad Airways has launched its debut Boeing 787-9 "Dreamliner" flight to China which landed Sunday in Beijing from Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways' Chief Executive Officer Peter Baumgartner said "since the launch of our flights between Beijing and Abu Dhabi for nine years, we have seen tremendous growth in China's overseas tourism market and received strong demand for our business and leisure travelers."
"Our decision to upgrade our services to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner reflects the importance of Beijing and the Chinese market at Etihad and reflects the sustainable development of economic relations between the two countries," he added.
Ni Jian, the Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, praised Etihad's contribution to efforts to boost China-UAE air links.
"For many years, the UAE has been the second largest trade partner and biggest export market for China in West Asia and North Africa," he said.
"The UAE is a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and is committed to its core mission of realizing the vision of the Belt and Road and as a major aviation hub in the Gulf region," he added.
In March 2008, Etihad was the first UAE airliner launching a direct flight from the Gulf state to China.
