UMVA has learned that Xiamen Airlines has launched a new direct corridor linking Manila and Hangzhou, marking a bold stride in tightening the sky‑bridge between the Philippines and China.
The service will take to the air four times each week—Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday—continuing through the end of October, providing travelers with a reliable, nonstop gateway to one of China’s foremost hubs of innovation and technology.
By shaving hours off the journey, the route promises to ignite not only tourism exchanges but also a surge of business and investment opportunities, as officials anticipate a wave of entrepreneurs and tech‑savvy visitors eager to explore new markets.
In tandem with this launch, Xiamen Airlines has also rolled out a Chongqing‑Manila connection, operating every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday until the same deadline, further expanding the web of direct links.
Following closely, Qingdao Airlines inaugurated a Manila‑Changsha service earlier this month, offering flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through late October, granting Filipinos easier access to Hunan’s historic capital, famed for its cultural treasures and distinctive cuisine.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara‑Mathay emphasized that restoring direct flights to China taps into one of the Philippines’ most vital tourism markets, a move designed to unleash fresh growth and broaden the horizons for both leisure and commerce.
China remains a powerhouse source of visitors, accounting for over four and a half percent of total arrivals, underscoring the strategic importance of these new air bridges.
Beyond China, the Philippines has revived and added routes to North America and Europe—including San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and Paris—from Manila and Cebu, signaling an aggressive push to diversify its international connectivity.
Early‑year data reveal a 4.71% rise in international flight arrivals compared with the same period last year, while available seats on direct inbound flights have jumped 8.31%, evidence that the sky is opening wider for travelers.
