Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) officially welcomed the launch of Xiamen Air’s direct flights between Cebu and Quanzhou, China starting March 29, restoring a key air link between Central Visayas and Fujian Province.
Xiamen Air will operate the Cebu–Quanzhou service using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft twice weekly, every Tuesday and Saturday, offering a three-hour journey for business and leisure travelers.
The route reconnects Cebu, described as a premier tourism and transfer gateway, with Quanzhou, a major manufacturing and historic port hub in China.
Athanasios Titonis, chief executive officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation, said the new route supports efforts to strengthen aviation connectivity and economic growth in the region.
He added that linking Central Visayas directly with Fujian opens opportunities for tourism operators, exporters, and businesses.
The route’s resumption also supports efforts to revitalize inbound tourism following the implementation of a 14-day visa-free entry policy for eligible Chinese tourists.
Airport officials said the return of Xiamen Air forms part of MCIA’s push to expand its international network and position Cebu as a competitive global destination.
Julius G. Neri Jr., general manager and chief executive officer of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, welcomed the return of the Quanzhou service, citing the easing of visa requirements and the expected increase in travelers.
He said the airport will continue working with partners to keep Cebu accessible and attractive to international visitors.
The reopening of the route was also supported by the Cebu Provincial Government following a diplomatic mission to Fujian Province in February, where Governor Pamela Baricuatro met with officials to strengthen ties between the two provinces.
Baricuatro said the renewed route brings opportunities for tourism, trade, and people-to-people connections.
Officials said the direct flight is expected to boost commerce, noting that Quanzhou is a major manufacturing center for textiles, footwear, and stone products, while Cebu serves as a commercial and export hub in the Visayas.
The restored service allows business travelers to fly directly between the two cities, reducing travel time and streamlining supply-chain visits.
