# Shenzhen Airlines Files for Philippine Permit as Chinese Arrivals Jump 69.15%

> Shenzhen Airlines applied to the Civil Aeronautics Board for a foreign air carrier permit, with a hearing set for Nov. 24 as Chinese arrivals rise 69.15%.

- Published: 2026-10-16T00:03:26+00:00
- Section: Regulation & Approvals
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-16/shenzhen-airlines-philippines-permit
- Source: [Inquirer](https://business.inquirer.net/616081/shenzhen-airlines-moves-to-expand-ph-presence)

## Key takeaways

- Shenzhen Airlines applied to the Civil Aeronautics Board for a foreign air carrier permit to expand scheduled international services in the Philippines.
- The carrier already operates five weekly flights between Manila and Shenzhen, and the CAB has scheduled a hearing on the petition for Nov. 24.
- Chinese tourist arrivals reached 310,088 from January to August, up 69.15 percent from the same period last year.

[Shenzhen Airlines](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000azva/shenzhen-airlines) has applied to the [Civil Aeronautics Board](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0042fvj/civil-aeronautics-board) for a foreign air carrier permit to expand scheduled international services in the Philippines, the carrier's latest move to add capacity on China-Philippines routes. The [Inquirer](https://business.inquirer.net/616081/shenzhen-airlines-moves-to-expand-ph-presence) reported the application, which the CAB posted in a notice.

## Shenzhen Airlines' Permit Application and Manila Flights

Shenzhen Airlines already operates five weekly flights between Manila and Shenzhen, and the application could open the way for additional frequencies or new routes to other Philippine destinations. The CAB has scheduled a hearing on the petition for Nov. 24.

The Chinese carrier is a subsidiary of Air China and a Star Alliance member, operating more than 250 domestic and international routes that connect major destinations across China and other Asian markets including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Its website says it carries nearly 40 million passengers annually.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay announced that airlines have introduced more than 10 additional flights between China and the Philippines. In May, XiamenAir launched its Hangzhou-Manila route, operating four times weekly, alongside its Chongqing-Manila service, which operates three times a week. Qingdao Airlines also launched its Changsha-Manila service that month, with three weekly flights.

## Shenzhen Airlines' Record on Philippines and China Routes

According to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), Shenzhen Airlines was reassigned to Manila NAIA Terminal 3 effective March 29, 2026, indicating operational scaling on Philippines-China routes. The same records show the carrier received Series A financing from Kunpeng Capital in January 2026, the first disclosed external equity investment into the carrier to support expansion and growth. Shenzhen Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, whose 26 or more member airlines enable code-share flights, lounge access and mileage redemption.

## Earlier Shenzhen Airlines Expansion Moves

Shenzhen Airlines will launch a direct flight route from Shenzhen to Sydney on December 14, operating four weekly flights on Airbus A330 aircraft, Jiemian reported in September 2026. The route is the second direct international service to Australia, following the Shenzhen-Melbourne route.

Air China, its subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines, and Hainan Airlines have collectively ordered 95 Airbus aircraft for a catalog total of USD17.8 billion, with deliveries scheduled between 2028 and 2032, Yicaiglobal reported in July 2026. Air China and Shenzhen Airlines also agreed to purchase 55 Airbus jets, MarketScreener reported that month.

## What to Watch in the Philippine Market

Chinese tourist arrivals reached 310,088 from January to August, up 69.15 percent from the same period last year, the fastest growth among the country's major tourism source markets. Officials are increasing the list of entry points where Chinese tourists can use the 14-day visa-free scheme, currently limited to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu.

## Companies in this story

- [Shenzhen Airlines company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000azva/shenzhen-airlines) · website: http://global.shenzhenair.com
- [Civil Aeronautics Board company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0042fvj/civil-aeronautics-board) · website: https://cab.gov.ph

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