MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the launch of three new direct air routes from China to Manila, further strengthening connectivity and supporting the recovery of Chinese tourism to the Philippines.
The new services include Qingdao Airlines’ Changsha–Manila route launched on May 16, and XiamenAir’s Hangzhou–Manila and Chongqing–Manila flights inaugurated on May 20 and 21, respectively.
The additional routes are expected to boost tourism, business, and investment exchanges between the Philippines and key Chinese cities. Flights from Hangzhou will operate four times weekly, while Changsha and Chongqing services will run three times weekly until October 2026.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the expansion of direct connectivity forms part of the Marcos administration’s efforts to accelerate the recovery of the Chinese market, which remains among the Philippines’ key tourism sources.
From January to May 19, 2026, the Philippines recorded 7.78 million international air seats for inbound direct flights, up 8.31 percent from the same period last year. International flight arrivals also increased by 4.71 percent during the period.
The DOT said the Chongqing route marks the 33rd direct international service launched to the Philippines since the start of 2025, reflecting continued growth in the country’s aviation and tourism sectors.
