DAVAO CITY (PIA) — China’s Fujian province where many Chinese-Filipinos trace their ancestral roots is now linked to this city via a twice weekly Xiamen Air direct flight from Quanzhou (Jinjiang).
Xiamen Air flight 8695 successfully touched down at Davao City’s Francisco Bangoy International Airport as direct air services resumed on Oct. 29. A ceremonial water cannon salute greeted the aircraft as it taxied towards the airport terminal..
The Quanzhou-Davao flights started in 2018 but was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“This exciting development certainly brings a multitude of benefits to tourism especially for Davao Region. We hope to welcome more travelers who are seeking to explore our stunning seascapes and landscapes, and immerse in our vibrant local experiences,” said Department of Tourism-XI Regional Director Tanya Rabat Tan during the welcome ceremony at the Davao International Airport.
Tan said like Fujian Province, Davao Region has so much to offer to Chinese tourists and is a symbol of the tourism industry’s resilience to bounce back after the pandemic.
“The resumption of the said flights showcases the resilience and commitment of both Xiamen Air and Davao Region to revive tourism amidst challenging times. It reflects the confidence of the industry in fostering safe travel and reestablishing vital connections, ” Tan said.
For Davao City Tourism Operations Office OIC Jennifer Romero she hopes that the Xiamen Air flights will be sustained.
Xiamen Air Flight 8695 arrives at Francisco Bangoy International Airport
“We are working to ensure that this flight will be sustained. We are working on group arrivals from Xiamen so we will continue to promote and tap wholesalers and travel agencies that will create itineraries for a group of those who will come and visit Davao City,” Romero said.
Jinjiang Airport general manager Yang Shuanghua who was present during the October 29 flight cited Davao’s role as a major economic center and the substantial number of overseas Chinese in Davao City who hails from Jinjiang (Quanzhou).
Davao City is home to a large Chinese community, in 2004 then City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte created the Davao City Chinatown District.
More international flights in Davao
The Xiamen Air Quanzhou-Davao flight increases the number of direct overseas flights at the Davao International Airport.
Currently the DIA is connected to Doha Qatar with one weekly flight serviced by Qatar Airways. Budget airline Scoot operates a thrice weekly Davao-Singapore flight while Royal Air has a twice weekly Hongkong-Davao flight.
Romero says they are working with different agencies and sectors to make the international flights sustainable.
“We are working for more. We are collaborating with the Department of Tourism. We have the anticipated Air Connectivity Council which will promote and help airline companies to offer more flights to Davao City,” Romero said.
Ceremonial water cannon salute for Xiamen Air Flight 8695. Davao City officials are looking to promote the city for international flights
Still being pushed to become a city ordinance, Romero said the Air Connectivity Council will be tasked to promote and help invite more airline companies to offer more flights to Davao City.
She said they are aiming to have the Air Connectivity Council before the start of 2024.
Among the direct international routes being eyed are Dubai and Tokyo,, considering the historical ties as Davao was once the home of a large Japanese community and during the pre-war era was known as Little Tokyo. (RGA/PIA Davao)
