Authorities from both Macau and the mainland city of Tianjin would be happy to see the resumption of direct flights, secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said yesterday.
However, the official hinted that the number of people interested in flyingbetween the two destinations might not be enough to attract airlines. In order to maintain this route it’s necessary to consider “the economic benefits,” Tam told media.
Mainland carrier Xiamen Airlines launched direct flights between Macau and Tianjin in March 2008 but the route was later suspended.
The secretary called for more bilateral efforts to raise the number ofpotential passengers, at the end of the Macau Week in Tianjin.
The event allowed for the residents of China’s third largest city to get toknow the MSAR better and promote the territory’s tourism and creative industries, he praised. Tam said the results fulfilled the expectations and other promotional actions in mainland China will follow the same format.
Macau will surely be able to discover “new opportunities for mutual development” in cooperation with the cities and provinces of mainland China, the secretary added.
Over three days, a delegation of 110 people from different sectors promoted Macau in Tianjin.
The Government Tourist Office set up an exhibition on the changes the MSAR has been through since the handover, while a Creative Pavilion displayed the ‘made in Macau’ design.
Macau’s Chinese Orchestra also performed during the event.