A WATER cannon salute greeted Xiamen Airlines flight MF8679 as it made its way to the airport apron after it safely landed at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao Airport) Tuesday afternoon.

The flight marked the begining of the commercial operations of the twice weekly Quanzhou (Jinjiang)-Davao-Quanzhou route, which will be operated by a Boeing 737-800.

This is Xiamen Airlines fourth destination in the Philippines after Manila, Cebu, and Kalibo.

The flight will be every Tuesday and Friday. It will depart from Quanzhou at 9 a.m. and will arrive in Davao City at 12:15 p.m. Return flight to Quanzhou from Davao City will be at 1:15 a.m. and arrives at 4:30 p.m.

The airlines said in a statement that the route will "enhance bilateral exchanges between the two cities in the areas of commerce, culture, and tourism."

Xiamen airlines also said that it is committed to continue to invest in developing the air links between China and the Philippines. It seeks to establish a comprehensive flight network that links Fujian, Beijing, Hangzhou, and other Chinese cities to the main cities in Philippines.

Aside from the Davao route, Xiamen Airlines operates flights between Manila and Xiamen and Quanzhou; Cebu and Xiamen and Fuzhou; and Kalibo and Fuzhou, Changsha, and Hangzhou.

Earlier, Davao City Chamber of Commerce vice president John Carlo Tria said in a text message that the direct flight between Quanzhou and Davao City can help improve the tourism sector of Davao City.

Tria added that it will also help strengthen economic trade between the China and Davao.

Meanwhile, in time for the launch of the Quanzhou-Davao flight, the Consulate General of China in Davao City has now started accepting visa applications and processing for a Chinese Visa.