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 bug for a lot of Victorians.

“Load factors on these services have been high recently, which is incredible when you consider the seat configuration on this aircraft allows it to carry nearly as many people as an A380.

“Due to the high demand, we are working with Cebu Pacific to increase this service further and are hopeful they will move to five flights a week in the not-too-distant future.

“The international market at Melbourne Airport has shifted firmly from recovery to growth, and these services will solidify that position.”

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