China's state-backed Xiamen Airlines has radar set on US
Xiamen Airlines, a subsidiary of state-backed China Southern Airlines, inaugurated its first direct US route between Seattle and Shenzhen, with hopes of long-term expansion in the US. "Shenzhen is known as the 'Silicon Valley' of China, and this new destination will be a tremendous opportunity for both business and leisure travellers to experience our shared values," said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Fellowman, adding that Xiamen's arrival would be an added boost to the region's status as "a business and tourism hub". This move by Xiamen comes as tourism and business traffic between the US and China grows rapidly; a recent study predicts annual US arrivals from China will more than double, going from 2.4 million in 2015 to over 6.5 million in 2020.

Xiamen Airlines' first flight to the United States is welcomed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with a traditional water cannon salute. Source: Port of Seattle

When Chinese president Xi Jinping visited the U.S. last September, his first stop was a Boeing factory north of Seattle, where he toured a 787-8 Dreamliner being delivered to Xiamen Airlines. A subsidiary of state-backed China Southern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines is currently among China's largest carriers, a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance with more than 140 Boeing aircraft (and 30 more on order) — and China's only airline with an all-Boeing fleet. Few U.S. travelers have heard of Xiamen Airlines but the carrier is determined to change that. Last Monday, Xiamen inaugurated its first direct U.S. route between Seattle and Shenzhen, one of China's largest and wealthiest cities. "Shenzhen is known as the 'Silicon Valley' of China, and this new destination will be a tremendous opportunity for both business and leisure travelers to experience our shared values, Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman told CNBC at a ceremony at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport welcoming the first Xiamen flight. He added Xiamen's arrival would be an added boost to the region's status as "a business and tourism hub."



Even though they're a very familiar brand in China and throughout Asia, they need to get name recognition for the brand in the United States and North America. Mike Waddle analyst, AviationPros

Xiamen Airlines cabin crew ready wait for the ceremony welcoming Xiamen Airlines to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to begin. Source: Harriet Baskas

Xiamen is making its move at a time when tourism and business traffic between the U.S. and China is growing quickly. In a recent study, Boyd Group International predicted that annual U.S. arrivals from China will more than double, going from 2.4 million in 2015 to over 6.5 million in 2020. "Over that period of time, more than 23 million Chinese will visit the US," the report added. Located adjacent to Hong Kong, Shenzhen — with a population of 10 million — was China's first special economic zone. It is now a major tourism and technology hub that's home to telecommunications equipment manufacturer Huawei, internet giant Tencent Holdings and other companies that do business in the Pacific Northwest. And the race is on to be the airline of choice for business and leisure travelers.

