By Digna Banzon/PNA
DAVAO CITY – China’s Xiamen Air has started its bi-weekly Quanzhou-Davao direct flights early this week.
Xiamen’s maiden Flight MF8679 touched down at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport Tuesday and was welcomed with a water cannon ceremony upon arrival at 12:36 p.m. with 130 passengers on board.
On its return flight to Quanzhou, the airline carried 104 passengers led by this city’s vice mayor, Bernard Al-ag.
Xiamen Air Executive Vice President Huang Guohui said the air link will further enhance bilateral exchanges between the Philippines and the People’s Republic China.
He said it will develop efficient and convenient air connectivity for business travelers in Quanzhou and overseas Chinese residing in the Philippines as well as develop exchanges between the two cities and achieve beneficial results in the areas of commerce and culture.
The new route is the only non-stop flight from mainland China to Davao utilizing the Boeing 737-800.
Passengers depart from Quanzhou every Tuesday and Friday at 9 o’clock in the morning and will arrive in Davao at 12:15, said Wu Weiqing, the marketing officer of Xiamen Air. From Davao, passengers depart at 1:15 pm and will arrive in Quanzhou at 4:30 in the afternoon.
Wu said the new route has increased the airline’s “China-Philippine market share by 50 percent.” Xiamen Air also flies to 32 cities including Beijing and Shanghai where passengers can move through transfer.
“Our intercontinental flight as well flies to Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, Vancouver in Canada, Los Angeles and New York in the United States and Paris, France in Europe and through this, it will serve as a platform that provides more choices for Philippine tourists to travel around the world,” Wu added.
Consul General Li Lin of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao said establishing a direct link between the Mainland China and Davao is one of the Chinese government’s goals to further improve bilateral ties.
Li said the connectivity was among the economic agreements that were signed when the sisterhood relation between Jinjang and Davao City was formally established that was graced by Mayor Sara Duterte.
“I believe that with the direct flight connecting Davao and Jinjang and Hong Kong there will be more people to people exchanges between the two countries,” he said.
Li said more Chinese travelers coming to Davao will find Davao City and Mindanao “not only beautiful but also economically growing where the potential economic growth is immense.”
“They will also get to experience friendly and hospitable people here,” he added.
