More direct Cebu-China flights opened

CEBU CITY – More direct flights between Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and two key cities in China were opened by two Chinese carriers.

China Southern Airlines launched its Cebu-Guangzhou route and Juneyao Airlines began flights between Cebu and Shanghai.

China Southern Airlines had its inaugural flight last Tuesday.

Aines Librodo, GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) head of Airline Marketing and Tourism Development, said in a media statement that as the largest airline in China and a SkyTeam Alliance member, China Southern Airlines will open up more connections for Cebu to Europe and North America via Guangzhou.

“We just welcomed its maiden flight from Guangzhou-Cebu carrying about 174 passengers using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft,” Librodo said.

China Southern Airlines operates out of Guangzhou and Beijing.

Juneyao Airlines on the other hand launched its Cebu-Shanghai Pudong flight Thursday.

It will have flights every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday using an Airbus A320 with a 158passenger capacity.

Librodo said Juneyao Airlines had operated charter flights on the same route for a few weeks in November 2017. It is a privately owned airline and operates two hubs at Shanghai Pudong and Shanghai Hongqiao airports.

“We are delighted to welcome back Juneyao Airlines to MCIA. With its strong domestic connection, Juneyao Airlines will offer more opportunities for Cebu into the vast Chinese market,” Librodo said.

Flights connect MCIA to seven destinations in mainland China: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Kunming and Shenzhen. Charter flights are also available during the peak season, Librodo said.

The airport is now linked to 32 domestic and 20 international destinations with eight Philippine-based airlines and 18 foreign airlines.