Xiamen Air starts Chengdu-Cebu service

Chinese carrier Xiamen Air is starting direct operations between Chengdu, a major city in southwestern China, and the Mactan Cebu International Airport starting June 27 this year.

The route will mark the first ever scheduled service between Chengdu and Cebu, MCIA operator GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. said in a statement.

“We are glad to welcome Xiamen Air’s newest direct service to Chengdu, one of China’s busiest and economically-robust cities. Through this partnership with Xiamen Air, we aim to achieve a common goal which is to increase connectivity between Cebu to international destinations,” said Louie Ferrer, GMCAC president.

Xiamen Air will service the Cebu-Chengdu route thrice weekly every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday using a Boeing 737-800. Previously, Chengdu to Cebu flights were operated during the Chinese peak travel season, the company said.

“The launching of the Chengdu service is in line with Xiamen Air’s plan to open more routes between the Philippines and China, specially in Cebu and Chengdu as these two major cities have huge tourist markets and are internationally known for its tourism destinations and upbeat economic activities,” Bruce Gong, Xiamen Air Cebu station manager, said in the same statement.

Xiamen Air also operates regular thrice weekly flights to Xiamen and Fuzhou.

MCIA is connected to other key destinations in China namely, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen.

GMCAC came to operate MCIA after winning a public bidding exercise in 2014. The contract to expand and operate MCIA was among the government’s Public Private Partnership projects. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS