Xiamen Airlines expands global reach with inaugural Xiamen-Paris route.
In the early hours of July 6, China's Xiamen Airlines made a landmark stride by launching their inaugural direct flight from Xiamen to Paris. This marks the twelfth long-haul route for the airline and the first since the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new route, designated under the return flight numbers MF825 and MF826, sees the weekly outbound flight departing Xiamen at 00:05 Beijing time, touching down in Paris at 06:40 local time. Conversely, the return journey departs Paris at 23:55 local time, arriving in Xiamen at 06:00 Beijing time the following day. The route will be operated by a Boeing 787-9.
The location of the route's terminus, Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, is strategically significant. As France's premier international airport and one of the world's busiest air travel hubs, it handles an average of over 75 million passengers each year. This bustling airport is an essential gateway for Chinese travelers bound for other European destinations, as well as Africa and Latin America, not to mention those visiting France. On the other end, Xiamen is a critical nexus for regional and international flights on China's southeastern coast. Its comprehensive network of air routes connects all major Chinese cities and extends its reach to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Europe, America, and Oceania.
This new route brings the two cities, Xiamen - the seaside garden city, and Paris - Europe's romantic capital, closer than ever, fostering a tangible connection for trade, academic exchange, tourism, and more.
As part of its international expansion strategy, Xiamen Airlines has partnered with six global carriers, including Air France and Czech Airlines, to facilitate efficient intermodal transit for passengers traveling on South American and African routes via Paris. This synergy takes full advantage of the airlines' extensive networks and Xiamen Airlines' top-tier transit services based in Fujian, China.
Ever since its pioneer intercontinental Xiamen-Amsterdam service in 2015, Xiamen Airlines has successfully established a total of 11 long-haul routes to key cities in Europe, the United States, and Australia. With the Chinese civil aviation market witnessing a gradual revival in 2023, the airline is intensifying efforts to enhance its route layout and reinforce its foothold in lucrative international markets. Looking forward, Xiamen Airlines aims to incrementally increase flight frequency on the Xiamen-Paris route depending on market demand. In addition, it plans to launch a new route to Doha, Qatar, while also expanding service to destinations like Singapore, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Vancouver, amongst others, offering global passengers a more streamlined travel network.
