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Jetstar has launched its first-ever service from Perth to Manila as it begins its push back into the Philippines.
Flight JQ81 took off from Perth Airport at around 10pm on Thursday night aboard the A321neo LR VH-OFU, landing in Manila at 4:30am. The low-cost carrier is now competing with Philippine Airlines on the route, with three services per week adding more than 72,000 seats a year.
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“This is the first time Jetstar has ever flown between Perth and the Philippines,” said Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully.
“Manila will be popular with West Australian holidaymakers for its great value shopping, tasty food scene and rich history and cultural experiences.
“This is Jetstar’s fifth route from Perth to Asia and is part of a longer-term plan to grow our operations in the west allowing customers to take off more for less.”
According to Jetstar, it now operates five routes from Perth to Asia, the others being Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket and Bali (Denpasar).
“The airline’s growing footprint in the west is supported more than 60 local pilots with a fifth Airbus A321LR aircraft to be based in Perth by March 2026,” the airline said.
“Jetstar also flies to six domestic destinations from Perth and is the only carrier offering direct flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Busselton-Margaret River Airport.”
The launch of Perth-Manila comes ahead of a new Jetstar Brisbane-Cebu service on 3 December. According to Brisbane Airport chief executive Gert-Jan de Graaff, the Cebu service will bring Brisbane’s route map to an all-time high.
“It strengthens important ties for Queensland’s large Filipino community, making it easier to connect with family, while boosting trade and business between two regions,” he said in July.
“This new route marks Brisbane Airport’s 34th direct international connection, which is the most ever, continuing our commitment to expanding travel opportunities and bringing the world closer to Queensland.”
Other carriers flying between Australia and the Philippines include Qantas and low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific, which returned to its pre-COVID-19 Australian capacity in 2023.
The news comes amid a larger boom in air travel between Australia and Asia, which this year hit its highest-ever levels according to Flight Centre’s SME arm Corporate Traveller, with India at 346 per cent of pre-pandemic figures, Vietnam at 263 per cent, and South Korea at 153 per cent.
Singapore, the Philippines, China, and Hong Kong were all in the top 10 destinations for Australian business travellers last year.
