Xiamen Airlines' 787s could target Fuzhou-New York, the largest unserved trans-Pacific route

The largest unserved trans-Pacific route by many accounts is between a well known city - New York - and one few have heard of: Fuzhou in China's Fujian province. The unexpected destination may have a low profile but is rich in history: Fujian people are known for their migratory habits and comprise large parts of the overseas Chinese diaspora, where they have created economic activity, from Chinese restaurants to bus services. Besides Chinatown, New York City even has a "Little Fuzhou". Ties remain strong, and in Mar-2013 there were an estimated 201 people travelling from Fuzhou to New York City each day, according to Amadeus Air Traffic.

All of this traffic moves via intermediate hubs, but in the near future Xiamen Airlines could consider deploying its forthcoming 787 Dreamliners on the Fuzhou-New York route. Xiamen would take some beyond traffic, but would make inroads in the point-to-point Fuzhou-New York market. That would be to the detriment of Cathay Pacific, the largest carrier between the two cities, as well as China Eastern and Air China, which are also the main operators on the market.

However, Xiamen Airlines may not find it as easy as that: Fuzhou-New York is a heavy VFR market that lacks premium yields to sustain the non-stop service. But Fuzhou-New York may be the most promising long-haul route for Xiamen Airlines' 787s. Xiamen Airlines is primarily a domestic carrier and China's most consistently profitable carrier. It is rightfully hesitant to embark on long-haul operations that are being encouraged and pushed by the government and it will not help that some members of Xiamen's recently-joined SkyTeam alliance are apparently giving the carrier a cool reception.