Abu Dhabi-based Royal Jet plans to target growing demand for executive and leisure services between the United Arab Emirates and China. HE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairman, says: "We plan to build on our initiatives, and contacts in China will give us a competitive edge in the aviation sector both regionally and internationally."

He expects demand to be further boosted by the recent Approved Destination Status (ADS) agreement between China and the UAE, which streamlines the visa process for Chinese nationals entering the UAE. According to industry figures bilateral trade between the UAE and China has given rise to a 10 per cent annual increase in visitors to each country.