Brisbane–Cebu and Perth–Manila to mark Jetstar’s re-entry into the Philippine market since ending its Manila–Darwin service in 2014
Australian low-cost airline Jetstar Airways is seeking to return to the Philippine market with two proposed direct routes—Brisbane to Cebu and Perth to Manila—starting November 27, 2025. However, these flights are still pending approval from the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
According to The Philippine Star, Jetstar has filed for a Foreign Air Carrier’s Permit (FACP), a requirement for international carriers seeking to operate scheduled flights in and out of the Philippines. The CAB has set a hearing on June 26 to deliberate on the application, with pre-marking of documents scheduled on June 19.
“Based on its application for FACP, Jetstar intends to operate Perth–Manila and Brisbane–Cebu routes. Hearing on the application is still ongoing,” said CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla.
Interested parties have been invited to submit objections before the pre-marking date, while Jetstar must submit all marked documents by June 22.
Proposed routes
If approved, Jetstar will operate the routes three times per week using its 232-seater Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Brisbane – Cebu (JQ101 / JQ100):
- Departs Brisbane: Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 12:30 PM → Arrives in Cebu at 5:15 PM
- Departs Cebu: 7:15 PM → Arrives in Brisbane at 4:00 AM the next day
Perth – Manila (JQ81 / JQ82):
- Departs Perth: Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays at 9:30 PM → Arrives in Manila at 4:35 AM
- Departs Manila: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 6:00 AM → Arrives in Perth at 1:00 PM
Both routes are scheduled to launch on November 27, 2025, just ahead of the holiday season, subject to final regulatory clearance. This will mark Jetstar’s return to the Philippines since it ended its Manila–Darwin service in 2014.
Strategic value and market impact
The proposed Brisbane–Cebu route will become the first direct flight connecting Australia to Cebu, a key island destination in the Visayas region known for its beaches, heritage towns, and diving spots. Meanwhile, the Perth–Manila service will provide a new direct option for travellers from Western Australia.
Currently, Philippine Airlines is the only carrier flying nonstop between Manila and Perth, and it also offers daily service to Brisbane, but only from Manila. If approved, Jetstar would be the first to connect Cebu directly to Australia. Cebu Pacific, another Filipino low-cost airline, services Melbourne and Sydney from Manila.
These proposed routes are part of Jetstar’s broader regional strategy. As reported by Karryon, the airline aims to position the Philippines as an alternative to Bali, offering a mix of beach escapes, cultural tourism, and family visits.
Demand driven by Filipino-Australian community
There were 361,860 Filipino-born individuals residing in Australia as of June 2023, making them the fifth-largest migrant group in the country. This growing demographic is expected to bolster demand for direct flights, particularly during peak seasons like Christmas.
In the 2023–24 migration year, the Philippines remained a strong contributor to Australia’s migration intake, with 11,942 permanent places granted, indicating deepening people-to-people ties.
Jetstar’s proposed return signals not only its confidence in the Philippine travel market but also a timely move to capture growing leisure and diaspora-driven demand. However, the final green light now rests with Philippine aviation regulators, who are expected to deliberate on the application later this month.
