Business Traveler, April 2018

Visit businesstravelerusa com April 2018 n 23 Destinations n Flying High Xiamen is a growing transportation hub thanks to its high speed rail network that connects it to Hong Kong and Guangzhou in the south and Shanghai to the north But perhaps the transportation story that most dramatically reflects Xiamens ascent on the world stage is the remarkable rise of the eponymous Xiamen Airlines Founded in 1984 Xiamen Air actually predates Chinas Big Three carriers Air China China Eastern and China Southern by at least four years Until recently however the airlines business model focused solely on domestic and regional markets Today it is a state owned subsidiary of China Southern Airlines Xiamen Air is the only Chinese airline to have an all Boeing fleet boasting more than 140 aircraft including the new 737 Max plus three class 757 200s Significantly Xiamen Airs roster also includes the 787 8 Dreamliner the first of which it deployed on its inaugural intercontinental route to Amsterdam Currently the carrier has six of the aircraft in its fleet along with the newer 787 9 In addition to Amsterdam the network of Xiamen Air operated flights has expanded rapidly to include Sydney 2015 and Melbourne and Seattle 2016 Most recently the airline began flying nonstop flights between Fuzhou and New York JFK in February 2017 using its 787 Xiamen Air is a member of the Skyteam alliance along with fellow Chinese carriers China Eastern and China Southern as well as Asian carriers China Airlines Garuda Indonesia Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines and global carriers Air France Delta Air Lines and KLM serving 1074 destinations According to Xiamen Airs president Che Shanglun Xiamen Air is changing from what it used to be and looking for new development Che says the carrier has ambitions to break into the top 20 airlines in the world aviation market and become the leading Asia Pacific airline growing its fleet to 268 aircraft by 2020 and increasing its annual passenger capacity to 50 million Xiamen Air operates out of three main hubs in China In addition to Fuzhou Changle International and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International the airlines home base is Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Opened in 1983 the single runway airport is one of the ten busiest in China Its on the north side of Xiamen Island only six miles from the city center and as the city grows the airport is left with little room to expand As a result a new airport is under construction on Dadeng Island in the Xiangan District When it opens at the end of 2025 the new facility tentatively named Xiamen Xiangan Airport will have two runways a 6 million square foot terminal with capacity for up to 45 million passengers Two subway lines will carry those passengers back and forth to the city Relax Unwind Many of those 45 million visitors will be coming to Xiamen for leisure travel Besides the technology and trade sectors tourism is a big revenue generator making Xiamen one of Chinas ten most popular tourist destinations The combination of mild climate average annual temperature is 70 degrees with a seaside location lower hotel rates and an abundance of activities has made Xiamen an attractive vacation alternative According to the citys hoteliers the same factors also contribute to its popularity as a destination for meetings incentive travel and trade events In 1903 Gulangyu a 500 acre islet southwest of the main island was made an international settlement and a lot of offshore economic activity ensued Today the tiny island reached by an eight minute ferry ride from the southwestern harbor front is popular with tourists for its colonial architecture and unique museums From early morning till late afternoon the quarter is jam packed with visitors taking in the attractions hanging out at the beach and sampling the many seafood restaurants here As the Cold War thawed the citys proximity to Taiwan began to offer its own set of competitive advantages