New direct air cargo link connects Xiamen and Davao, Philippines

Cargo is loaded onto the plane in Xiamen. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

A Boeing 737 cargo aircraft, fully loaded with cross-border e-commerce goods, took off from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport on May 7, bound for the Philippines, a Belt and Road partner country. This marks the official launch of Fujian province's first direct cargo route from Xiamen to Davao, the Philippines.

The newly launched Xiamen–Davao direct cargo flight takes just three hours one way. Outbound flights mainly carry light industrial products, electronics, and cross-border e-commerce goods for export to the Philippines, while return flights focus on importing Southeast Asian fresh produce and seafood such as durian, eel, and pomfret. 

The flight not only increases the supply of fresh goods in the domestic market but also better meets public demand for a larger selection of high-quality consumer products.

Previously, cross-border goods shipped from Fujian to Davao mostly had to be transferred via third-party hubs either domestically or overseas. With the launch of this direct cargo flight, intermediate stops and transit time have been significantly reduced, logistics efficiency has been maximized, and a more convenient, high-performance air freight link has been created for local cross-border e-commerce and foreign trade businesses.

The launch of the Xiamen–Davao cargo service marks another major direct air freight link between China and the Philippines, following the Xiamen–Clark cargo route.