Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest airline and leading low-cost carrier, recently marked its 9th year of servicing flights to Sydney, Australia. In celebration, it hosted a VIP 9th anniversary luncheon held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on the 27th of September 2023, which representatives from the Philippines Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry and local Filipino community groups attended.
Cebu Pacific’s Australian routes are back to pandemic levels from October 2023. This means flights between Sydney and Manila are now available five times per week and three times per week between Melbourne and Manila. Cebu Pacific has also increased its capacity for Australian routes utilising A30neo aircraft.
Cebu Pacific spokesperson Ms Carmina Romero said the airline was proud of the strong links it has forged between the two countries. “The carrier provided an opportunity for Filipinos to visit family and friends given the affordable fare that Cebu Pacific offers. We intend to continue offering safe, reliable, and affordable fares to the travellers,” Ms Romero added.
Ms Pura Molintas, Tourism Attache for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands encourages our kababayaans to come home, stay connected, visit and love the Philippines. “We have a program called Bisita, Be My Guest. Cebu Pacific has always been of assistance in promoting the program. We wish them well on their anniversary and to get stronger each year. “, Ms Molintas continued.
Bisita, Be my Guest is an incentivised promotional campaign wherein Filipinos, especially Overseas Filipino Workers and Overseas Filipinos who invite foreigners to visit the country will be entitled to a raffle ticket and have a chance to win special prizes.
Until August 2023, Australia ranked 5th among the top countries where most tourists or visitors to the Philippines come from. The top destinations by air are Manila and surrounds, Clark, Puerto Princesa, Boracay, Bohol and Cebu. On the other hand, the top destinations by sea include Manila and surrounds, Cabugao, Batanes, Coron and Puerto Princesa. (Reference: DOT)
Philippine Commercial Consul for Australia and New Zealand, Ms Alma Argayoso, also shared her delight on the increased flights to and from Australia. “This is a welcome development as we continuously work on increasing our trade and investments and people-to-people connections with Australia. I urge our Kababayans to support Cebu Pacific on its new initiatives to service Filipinos and Australians and look forward to, not only increased tourism arrivals between the Philippines and Australia, but also increase in cargo shipments of agricultural and non-agricultural products.”, Ms Argayoso added.
Cebu Pacific launched its brand in Australia in 2014 with flights to Sydney, followed by Melbourne flights in 2018. Forced to ground its fleet during the pandemic, the carrier resumed services to Sydney in 2022, followed by Melbourne in March 2023. The airline is one of the longest-flying Low-Cost Carriers in the region, with over 200 million passengers flown since its initial operations in 1996.
