Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Xiamen Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly collaborate on initiatives to grow connectivity and traffic between Singapore and China. Effective until 31 March 2018, the MOU formalises the partnership to increase air services between the two countries and to grow transit and transfer traffic from Southeast Asia, Southwest Pacific to and from China, via Singapore.

Noting that Xiamen is currently the fourth largest Chinese city for Changi Airport, behind the key metros of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, CAG’s CEO,Lee Seow Hiang said:”CAG values the deep partnership we have established with Xiamen Airlines, who has been a supportive and active partner in joint marketing activities in and outside of China. The signing of this MOU is a strategic step to enhance our connectivity through the establishment of more direct air services to new secondary and third-tier cities in China.”

Xiamen Airlines chairman & president, Che Shanglun, said: “Southeast Asia, and in particular Singapore, is an important market for Xiamen Airlines. Ever since the first Xiamen-Singapore service was launched in 1986, the airline has continued to develop more services from Singapore to newer destinations in China.”

As at 1 July 2015, Xiamen Airlines operates 28 weekly services from Singapore to seven cities in China– Dalian, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Xi’an and Zhengzhou. Of the above seven points, Xiamen Airlines is the only carrier operating flights to and from Dalian, Fuzhou and Zhengzhou.