Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Sunday welcomed the launch of direct flights between Cebu and Quanzhou, marking the restoration of a key air corridor expected to strengthen tourism and trade ties between the Philippines and China.
Operated by Xiamen Air, the Cebu–Quanzhou route will run twice weekly using a Boeing 737-800, offering a three-hour connection between Central Visayas and Fujian Province—one of China’s major manufacturing hubs.
Airport operator Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation said the route reinforces Cebu’s ambition to position itself not just as a destination, but as a transfer hub linking international travelers to the rest of the archipelago. The renewed connectivity is seen as opening opportunities for tourism operators, exporters, and small businesses in the Visayas.
The resumption also aligns with broader government efforts to revive inbound tourism, aided by the Philippines’ 14-day visa-free policy for eligible Chinese visitors.
Industry watchers say improved air links could accelerate recovery in visitor arrivals, particularly from China, once a major source market prior to the pandemic.
Beyond tourism, the route has clear commercial implications.
Quanzhou is a major center for textiles, footwear, and construction materials, while Cebu serves as a key export and logistics hub in the central Philippines. Direct flights are expected to streamline business travel, reduce transit times, and support supply chain coordination between the two regions.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority said the renewed service could drive a new wave of passenger traffic while enhancing Cebu’s competitiveness as an international gateway.
The route revival follows a diplomatic push by Cebu provincial officials earlier this year to deepen economic ties with Fujian, underscoring how air connectivity is increasingly being leveraged as a tool for regional growth and cross-border commerce.
