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Jetstar has officially announced its return to the Philippines after winning approval from the country’s aviation regulator.
The airline will fly three times per week from Perth to Manila starting 27 November, and from Brisbane to Cebu starting 3 December, using its A321neo LR fleet. Between them, the new routes will add more than 108,000 seats per year between Australia and the Philippines.
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“The launch of low fares direct flights to the Philippines is an exciting milestone, unlocking two amazing destinations for Aussie travellers,” Stephanie Tully, chief executive of the airline, said.
“From the pristine beaches of Cebu to the vibrant energy of Manila, these new routes offer greater value options for an overseas holiday.
“As demand for low-cost international travel continues to grow, our pipeline of new aircraft is helping us deliver even more low fares to new destinations – so our customers can take off more, for less.”
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.
Jetstar will be the only carrier connecting Brisbane and Cebu; the low-cost airline had, in 2014, axed a Darwin–Manila service launched several years prior.
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.
“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 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.
