China’s Xiamen Airlines confirmed that it will resume twice-weekly direct flights between Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport in Fujian Province and Cebu’s Mactan–Cebu International Airport from 29 March 2026. The decision, announced on 14 February, follows bilateral consultations that secured additional traffic rights and ground-handling support ahead of the summer schedule.
The restored route re-links a key manufacturing hub for shoes, textiles and stone products with the commercial centre of the Philippines’ Visayas region, streamlining supply-chain visits for companies that previously relied on one-stop connections via Xiamen or Manila. Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays using Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured with eight business-class and 162 economy seats, offering a block time of just under three hours.
![Xiamen Airlines to Restart Quanzhou–Cebu Direct Service on 29 March, Strengthening China–Philippines Connectivity]()
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the move, saying it would “signal a new chapter of people-to-people exchanges.” The Chinese embassy in Manila added that the airline plans to increase frequencies on its existing Xiamen–Manila service, reflecting surging demand after the Philippines granted one-year visa-free entry of up to 14 days for Chinese tourists and business visitors in January.
For mobility managers, the direct link reduces travel time between Quanzhou’s export clusters and Cebu-based outsourcing, ship-repair and electronics facilities. It also offers an alternative hub for onward travel to Mindanao, where several Chinese state-owned enterprises are involved in infrastructure projects. Corporate travellers should note that China’s 30-day visa-free stay for Philippine nationals does not yet exist; Filipino passengers still require visas unless transiting elsewhere within 24 hours.
Cargo belly space on the service—estimated at five tonnes per sector—is expected to benefit e-commerce shippers moving high-value electronics and time-sensitive fashion samples. Freight forwarders are advised to secure allocations early, as the route historically posts load factors above 80 percent during peak export months.
The restored route re-links a key manufacturing hub for shoes, textiles and stone products with the commercial centre of the Philippines’ Visayas region, streamlining supply-chain visits for companies that previously relied on one-stop connections via Xiamen or Manila. Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays using Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured with eight business-class and 162 economy seats, offering a block time of just under three hours.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the move, saying it would “signal a new chapter of people-to-people exchanges.” The Chinese embassy in Manila added that the airline plans to increase frequencies on its existing Xiamen–Manila service, reflecting surging demand after the Philippines granted one-year visa-free entry of up to 14 days for Chinese tourists and business visitors in January.
For mobility managers, the direct link reduces travel time between Quanzhou’s export clusters and Cebu-based outsourcing, ship-repair and electronics facilities. It also offers an alternative hub for onward travel to Mindanao, where several Chinese state-owned enterprises are involved in infrastructure projects. Corporate travellers should note that China’s 30-day visa-free stay for Philippine nationals does not yet exist; Filipino passengers still require visas unless transiting elsewhere within 24 hours.
Cargo belly space on the service—estimated at five tonnes per sector—is expected to benefit e-commerce shippers moving high-value electronics and time-sensitive fashion samples. Freight forwarders are advised to secure allocations early, as the route historically posts load factors above 80 percent during peak export months.
Source: Xinhua
