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Cebu Pacific will ramp up services from Sydney to Manila later this year.
The Philippine-based low-cost carrier, which currently flies five times per week to Sydney, will increase to daily Sydney services from 1 December.
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“We are thrilled to be expanding our network at Sydney Airport. This development is a testament to our commitment to enhancing global connectivity and providing greater convenience for our passengers from Australia,” said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer.
Cebu Pacific, which is this year marking its 10th anniversary of travel to Australia, returned to its pre-COVID Australian capacity last year. The airline, launched in 1996, commenced Sydney flights in 2014, followed by Melbourne flights four years later. The carrier is operating 459-seat A330neo aircraft into Australia.
When daily Manila services begin in December, Sydney Airport will have the highest Philippine capacity in Australia at 3,219 weekly seats, up 44 per cent on December 2019 levels.
“We are proud to be the only airport in Australia offering a daily service to Manila, which provides passengers with unprecedented choice and convenience when travelling to Sydney,” Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said.
“This new route not only strengthens our ties with the Philippines but also offers passengers seamless access to Manila, opening a world of opportunities for business and leisure alike.
“We are thrilled to support Cebu Pacific in delivering this valuable service and look forward to the positive impact it will have on both our communities.”
The airline last month announced it would also add a fourth weekly flight to Melbourne from December, which has since been brought forward to 23 November. According to Melbourne Airport’s chief of aviation, Jim Parashos, Southeast Asia is one of the city’s best-performing regions.
“The Philippines has seen a 43 per cent growth in passengers since the pandemic, while key markets such as Vietnam and Thailand have recorded 60 per cent and 25 per cent growth, respectively,” he said.
“Since resuming operations at Melbourne Airport in March last year, Cebu Pacific has seen strong two-way demand for the service underpinned by international students, trade and tourism.
“The number of international students from the Philippines coming to Australia to study has doubled since 2019. Due to the high demand, we are working with Cebu Pacific to increase this service further and are hopeful they will move to five flights a week in the not-too-distant future.
“The international market at Melbourne Airport has shifted firmly from recovery to growth, and these services will solidify that position.”
