Jaehwa Bernardo

XiamenAir’s inaugural Chongqing–Manila flight arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Photo from the Department of Tourism

Article (news)

Tourism dep't welcomes 3 new direct flights between Manila, China

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779864303135image.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>XiamenAir’s inaugural Chongqing–Manila flight arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Photo from the Department of Tourism</div>The Department of Tourism (DOT) said Wednesday it welcomed the launch of three new direct flights connecting Manila to three destinations in China, seeing the development as an opportunity to boost the country&#x27;s tourism growth.They include XiamenAir&#x27;s inaugural Chongqing–Manila service, which launched on May 21, connecting the Philippine capital to the southwestern Chinese municipality regarded as one of the country’s largest metropolitan centers, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said in a statement.The Chongqing–Manila route will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday until October 31, 2026.XiamenAir also launched its Hangzhou–Manila route on May 20, with flights operating four times a week — every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday — until October 31, 2026.Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province in eastern China.The third route connects Changsha, the capital of Hunan province in central China, and Manila. Launched by Qingdao Airlines on May 16, the service will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until October 24, 2026.Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the developments reflect the government&#x27;s strategy to speed up &quot;the restoration of air connectivity from China.&quot;&quot;We recognize that this (Chinese) market remains one of the Philippines’ biggest opportunities for tourism growth. Visitor arrivals from China have already posted the strongest growth among our major source markets this year, supported by expanded direct services and measures that have made travel more accessible,&quot; Angara-Mathay said.From January 1 to May 19, 2026, the Philippines recorded 30,729 international flight arrivals, a 4.71 percent increase compared with the same period in 2025, which the DOT described as &quot;another indicator of sustained momentum across the country’s aviation and tourism sectors.&quot;<div> </div>

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said Wednesday it welcomed the launch of three new direct flights connecting Manila to three destinations in China, seeing the development as an opportunity to boost the country's tourism growth.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said Wednesday it welcomed the launch of three new direct flights connecting Manila to three destinations in China, seeing the development as an opportunity to boost the country's tourism growth.

Tourism department welcomes 3 new direct flights between Manila, China

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Tourism department welcomes 3 new direct flights between Manila, China

ABS-CBN News

Published May 27, 2026 04:34 PM PHT

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Department of Tourism

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