SEATTLE – During a press conference in Shenzhen, China today, the Port of Seattle, the City of Seattle and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce announced the first U.S. service by China’s Xiamen (pronounced sha’-mun) Airlines for direct connections to Xiamen and Shenzhen with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, beginning September 26, 2016.
The new service complements strong business and community ties between Seattle and Shenzhen, one of China’s largest cities. The announcement was made on “Seattle Day,” a celebration of the strong business relationships between the two cities during the Chamber’s International Leadership Mission. “Seattle Day” was started in Shenzhen in 2014 and was followed by “Shenzhen Day” in Seattle last year.
“Service between the two leading technology centers of Shenzhen and Seattle is a very important addition to the Port of Seattle's direct flights throughout Asia," aid Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman. "We value Xiamen Airlines commitment to connecting our region’s leisure and business travelers to new opportunities with state of the art Boeing 787 airplanes. Our goal of being a world-class international airport not only refers to customer service but also reaching new and diverse parts of the world."
The aircraft route will begin in the city of Xiamen (headquarters to Xiamen Airlines), then shuttle to Shenzhen before making the nonstop flight to Seattle. Xiamen Airlines, who operates the largest all-Boeing fleet in China, will serve the route three times per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) with 787-8 aircraft.
“The City of Seattle is excited to welcome Xiamen Airlines and the people of Shenzhen,” Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said. “Seattle and Shenzhen are both global centers of technology and innovation, and the addition of direct air service will be a significant benefit as we continue to strengthen our international ties, create new opportunities for economic growth, and promote tourism between our two cities.”
The Seattle delegation’s visit to Shenzhen is the third International Leadership Mission trip to China organized by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle. This year’s trip provides the 62-member delegation the opportunity to foster stronger, deeper relationships and lasting connections with key leaders and businesses in China for the betterment of the Seattle region’s economy.
“Xiamen Airlines’ new nonstop service between Shenzhen and Seattle builds on the special connection our cities share, enhancing our region’s standing as a globally competitive hub for international trade and investment,” said Maud Daudon, president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “In addition to our region’s longstanding, solid relationships with Chinese businesses in Shenzhen, we are also experiencing a tremendous increase in tourism between both countries, with a 7.6 percent increase in visitors year over year.”
“Xiamen Airlines boasts a fleet of 153 all-Boeing airplanes and 29 consecutive years of profitability,” said Zhao Dong, Executive Vice President of Xiamen Airlines. “The number of passengers carried annually by Xiamen Airlines exceeds 23 million and the annual operating revenue tops 20 billion yuan. The inauguration of Xiamen-Shenzhen-Seattle route extends the flight network of Xiamen Airlines to the U.S. for the first time, providing a new choice for passengers travelling between China and the U.S. We are devoted to provide considerate service and new flying experience to our passengers, striving to become a leading carrier in Asia-Pacific region serving with global flight network.”
Photo from today's announcement in Shenzhen, China
Sea-Tac has been the fastest growing large hub airport in the U.S. for the past two years. In 2015, passenger traffic set a record for the fifth straight year with over 42.3 million travelers. Through the first quarter of 2016, normally the slowest travel season, passenger numbers are up ten percent.
Flight details for Seattle-Xiamen-Shenzhen service (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) beginning Sept 26, 2016
| Flight: | Depart: | Arrive: | Depart: | Arrive: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF845 | XMN 9:30 a.m. | SZX 10:45 a.m. | SZX 12:45 p.m. | SEA 10:25 a.m. |
| MF 846 | SEA 1:25 p.m. | SZX 6:15 p.m. (next day) | SZX 8:15 p.m. (next day) | XMN 9:25 p.m. (next day) |
About Xiamen Airlines
Founded in July 1984, Xiamen Airlines is a unique and premium airline in China. With the cost advantage of the all-Boeing fleet, Xiamen Airlines is on the way to achieving 30 consecutive years of profitability, the longest in the history of commercial aviation in China. Xiamen Airlines operates a fleet of 153 jets, which is the biggest all-Boeing fleet in China. Xiamen Airlines is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance with “MF” as its IATA designator. Xiamen Airlines now serves an extensive domestic and international flight network reaching over Asia, Europe and Oceania. With over 320 routes in operation, the number of passengers carried annually by Xiamen Airlines exceeds 23 million. In March 2016, Xiamen Airlines won the China Quality Award, which is the highest award in the field of quality control in China. For more information, visit http://www.xiamenair.com
About The City of Seattle
Seattle is a world-class city of 670,000 residents, and a hub of technology, innovation and culture. It is the 5th-largest port in the U.S, and home to Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon, Costco and Starbucks, as well as premier research institutions such as the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, it is a destination for millions of tourists and business travelers each year. For
more information, visit http://www.seattle.gov/. About The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
The Seattle Metropolitan (Seattle Metro) Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most diverse network of influential business leaders in the Puget Sound region. Founded in 1882 by local business leaders, the Chamber today is an independent organization of 2,200 businesses representing a regional workforce of approximately 700,000 people. For more information, visit www.seattlechamber.com.
About Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA, KSEA) is ranked as the 13th largest U.S. airport, serving more nearly 42.3 million passengers and more than 332,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2015. With a regional economic impact of more than $16.3 billion in business revenue, Sea-Tac generates more than 171,000 jobs (109,924 direct jobs) representing more than $2.8 billion in direct earnings and more than $565 million in state and local taxes. Twenty-two airlines serve 87 non-stop domestic destinations and 21 international cities.
The Port of Seattle is setting the course for the future with the Century Agenda. In 25 years, we will generate 100,000 new jobs and increase international trade and tourism, while protecting the environment with innovative sustainability initiatives. Learn more about how the region’s economic engine will keep powering King County’s economy for years to come! Visit www.portseattle.org.
