Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has inaugurated Xiamen Air's direct flights between Cebu, Philippines, and Quanzhou, China, as of 29 March 2026. This new route, operating twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, aims to strengthen economic ties and tourism between the two regions.
The service, utilising a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, reconnects the Philippines' primary tourism gateway with Fujian Province's manufacturing hub. Athanasios Titonis, CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation, stated, “The launch of the Cebu-Quanzhou route reaffirms our mandate to drive economic growth in the region through robust aviation connectivity.”
The route's resumption aligns with the Philippine government's recent 14-day visa-free entry policy for eligible Chinese tourists, enhancing MCIA's international network. Julius G. Neri, Jr., CEO of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, expressed enthusiasm for the service's economic impact, noting the potential for increased international travel to Cebu.
The Cebu Provincial Government played a pivotal role in reopening this route, following a diplomatic mission to Fujian Province in February. Governor Pamela Baricuatro highlighted the route's potential to foster tourism, trade, and cultural connections.
Beyond tourism, the direct flight is expected to facilitate commerce, linking Quanzhou's manufacturing sector with Cebu's commercial centre. This development is anticipated to streamline business travel and supply-chain operations, further integrating the two regions' economies
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