dailynewsnblog
Everyone knows that 
Emirates is overwhelmingly the world’s largest user of the Airbus A380. Ch-aviation shows that it has 116 airframes, which accounts for 43% of the Gulf giant’s total passenger fleet. They’re in multiple different configurations, including the new 569-seat layout.
In the remainder of the year, OAG data shows that Emirates will deploy the superjumbo from 
Dubai International Airport (DXB) to 54 airports globally. In the latest development, AeroRoutes reports that 
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) will now have two daily A380 flights, double what was previously planned.
Emirates Doubles A380 Flights To Shanghai
Until the latest update, Emirates had planned to fly the double-decker quadjet on a daily basis to PVG, which is by far China’s busiest airport for international and long-haul activity. After a year-and-a-half gap, A380 flights to PVG returned in October 2025, with a daily frequency. Despite the many consequences of the ongoing war in Iran, the offering was still available in early 2026. The plan has now changed, but only temporarily.
Between October 25 (when Northern Hemisphere airlines like Emirates switch to winter schedules) and November 30, two daily flights on the superjumbo will be deployed to PVG. Four-class equipment, with first class, business class, premium economy, and economy, will be available. It’ll replace the three-class Boeing 777-300ER, providing a significant number of additional seats in all classes, including premium economy. PVG last had two daily flights on Emirates’ double-deckers in early 2020.
Frequency | DXB To PVG; Local Times* | PVG To DXB; Local Times** |
|---|---|---|
Daily | EK302: 3:10 AM-3:05 PM (A380) | EK305: 6:15 AM-12:05 PM (A380, replacing the 777-300ER) |
Daily | EK304: 9:15 AM-9:05 PM (A380, replacing the 777-300ER) | EK303: 11:00 PM-5:10 AM+1 (A380) |
* October 25-November 30 | ** October 26-December 1 |
Thereafter, the world temporarily changed to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the frequency returns to that level, PVG will be one of four destinations in Asia to have two or more daily services on Emirates’ A380s. It’ll join Bangkok (two to three daily, one continuing to Hong Kong), Hong Kong (two, one via Bangkok), and Singapore (two). Bangkok is down from four daily flights in the same period last year, while Singapore has one fewer daily superjumbo flight.
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Where Emirates’ Shanghai Passengers Go
Booking data via OAG Traffic Analyzer for the 12 months to July 2026 suggests that approximately 340,000 round-trip PVG passengers connected to another flight in DXB. More than 900 people did so daily. Despite the detour, analysis shows that approximately 43% of the traffic flew to/from Europe. Africa was the second most popular market (32%), followed by the Middle East (12%) and South America (8%). Everywhere else was negligible.
The ten most popular countries via DXB were PVG to the UK, followed by Egypt, Brazil, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Italy, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. At the city level, PVG-Cairo was the most-trafficked market, followed by São Paulo, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Madrid, London, Johannesburg, Casablanca, Barcelona, and Luanda.
While Africa had nearly a third of the total transit traffic, the vast continent barely appeared in the top ten cities list. But it was significantly more prevalent in the top 30, with Accra, Algiers, Cape Town, Conakry, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Lagos, Lusaka, Mauritius, and Nairobi present. A lot of the demand comes from China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Africa, as well as African traders and so on. Emirates was the second-largest operator between PVG and Africa, behind Ethiopian Airlines.
Other Big Emirates A380 Changes In October/November
Comparing the carrier’s double-decker quadjet network from DXB in September to what is scheduled for October and November reveals various other significant changes. The type returned to Copenhagen, Moscow Domodedovo, and Prague on October 1, along with Beijing Capital on October 4. Next up is Glasgow on October 30 and Houston on November 1, but things could still change.
Then there’s Delhi. Aside from a one-off superjumbo service on October 14, Emirates’ regular operation on the type will begin on October 25. A380 flights will run daily, becoming the first time the route has ever had a normal operation on the double-decker. Three Indian cities (Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai) will see Emirates’ superjumbos for the first time on a regular, daily basis.
