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Jetstar has taken another step towards a return to the Philippines with a permit application to the country’s aviation regulator.
The low-cost carrier, which in 2014 axed a Darwin–Manila service launched several years prior, is looking to fly from Perth to Manila and Brisbane to Cebu using its A321neo LR fleet, having received approval from Australia’s International Air Services Commission in April.
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It has now applied for a foreign air carrier’s permit (FACP) in the Philippines, with a hearing scheduled for 26 June; if successful, flights are expected to launch this year, with dates and timetables still being finalised but a November start rumoured.
“Based on its application for FACP, (Jetstar) intends to operate Perth-Manila and Brisbane-Cebu routes. Hearing on the application for a FACP of Jetstar is still ongoing,” Carmelo Arcilla, executive director of the Philippines Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), told The Philippine Star.
Philippine Airlines is currently the only carrier serving the Perth–Manila route; while the flag carrier does serve Brisbane, its only non-stop service to the Queensland capital is also from Manila. If approved, Jetstar would be the sole carrier directly connecting Australia to Cebu.
In a statement in April, Jetstar’s executive manager for commercial planning, Lyle Brownscombe, said the A321neo LRs were allowing the airline to expand its international offering.
“We’re really excited to be one step closer to being able to launch new flights between Australia and the Philippines later this year,” he said.
“These would be brand-new routes for Jetstar and we expect the flights would be really popular, with the Philippines renowned for having some of the best night life and beaches in the world.
“2025 is shaping up to be a huge year of network growth for Jetstar, with our state-of-the-art A321LRs giving us a lot more flexibility and helping open up more budget friendly holiday options for Aussies travellers.”
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 has 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.
