LONDON – Cebu Pacific, the largest low-cost carrier in the Philippines, will relaunch the famed Melbourne to Manila route at the end of March according to local news source Manilatimes.net.
The low-cost carrier found out that it was feasible to relaunch to Melbourne after a successful reception from the resumption of the Manila-Sydney service in July 2022.
Australia is one of the largest neighbouring markets to the Philippines in terms of tourism and VFR (visiting friends, family and relatives) air traffic.
To mark the latest recovery milestone, the leading carrier is offering flights between the two metropolitans for as low as $212 USD or AU$299 for one way all-in fares. T
The flight is expected to last approximately eight hours in total, making it one of the longest Cebu Pacific flights outside destinations to the Middle East.
The promotion is quickly up for grabs as it runs from January 16th to 31st with a travel period from January 16th to June 30th. Both directions go for sale for only AU$299.
Timetable
The airline’s lucrative direct flight between the two cities will start three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting on March 27th. It is yet to be known whether the airline will increase its frequency at this stage.
The carrier will utilise its largest aircraft from the Airbus A330 fleet, with the ability to transport up to 439 passengers; with the A330 CEO or 459 passengers with the A330neo. Cebu Pacific has one of the densest A330 configurations in the market today.
A Popular Destination for Aussies
Many Australians can take advantage of the low fares to visit the beauty of the archipelagic republic. Tourists can visit beautiful islands, including unique outdoor activities, such as scuba diving, visiting sites which are declared under the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Passengers can connect through Cebu Pacific’s main hub at Mania’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport to other destinations in the Philippines including: Cebu, Boracay Bay, Puerto Princesa, Davao Coron, Siargao and Bohol. The airline offers 34 domestic flights within the country.
Carmina Romero, Cebu Pacific director for corporate communications told Manilatimes.net:
“We know we have an expansive Filipino community in Melbourne and are pleased to be able to offer both of them, as well as local Australians looking for somewhere new and exciting to explore, the opportunity to fly direct to Manila and explore the Philippines with our widest domestic network.”
Cebu Pacific Fleet
Cebu Pacific boasts one of the youngest fleets in the country if not Asia. The airline possesses 78 fleets of the most fuel-efficient and modern aircraft in the world, including A330s, A321s A320s, ATRs and two dedicated ATR freighters.
The continuing resumptions of long-haul low-cost flights reflects the growth of air traffic in a post-pandemic world.
Cebu Pacific is aiming to capture the growth of such rebound traffic, by offering competitive prices for many Aussies who are opting to stay within Asia due to rising costs of living.
