Sunday, August 4, 2024 Melbourne Airport is set to experience an increase in Cebu Pacific services to Manila this December, addressing the rising travel demand. Currently, the Melbourne-Manila route operates three times a week using the state-of-the-art A330-900neo, which can carry 459 passengers. Starting in December, Cebu Pacific will expand this service to four weekly flights.
This additional flight marks a significant milestone, pushing the Philippines market capacity beyond pre-pandemic levels for the first time. Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the announcement highlights the growth playing out in the Southeast Asian market. “Since the pandemic we’ve seen South-east Asia emerge as one of our best performing markets, with three of the four fastest growth countries coming from that region,” he said.
“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. “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.
“In February, we saw thousands of people pack Federation Square for Filipino star Taylor Sheesh’s performance and I think that ignited the Philippines travel b.