Chinese carrier Xiamen Air will launch its first direct flights to the Philippines next month with daily non-stop flights from Manila to Xiamen and Quanzhou.
The service will begin on February 8, 2015 using two brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The two Chinese cities are major business and leisure destinations in Fujian province southeastern China.
Department of Tourism data shows China was the fourth biggest source market for inbound arrivals in the Philippines.
Manila-Quanzhou is a first, although the carrier will be pitted against Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and China Southern Airlines on the Manila to Xiamen route.
Jose Angel Honrado, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority said Xiamen Air will become the fourth Chinese carrier at Manila.
"We already have China Air, China Southern, and China Eastern; passenger traffic seems to be bright," Honrado said.
