Sydney, 13 October 2025 — Sixty years ago, a Philippine Airlines DC-8 aircraft named Mabuhay landed in Sydney with 86 passengers on board, marking the first direct flight between Sydney and Manila. It was the beginning of an enduring story that has connected millions of Australians and Filipinos across the skies ever since.
From just two weekly flights in 1965, the Sydney–Manila route has grown into a vital daily connection served by multiple airlines, linking two dynamic cities and two close friends in the Asia-Pacific region.
Today, the connection represents more than just air travel — it is a living bridge for families, businesses, culture, and community, while continuing to showcase the heart of the Filipino spirit.
To mark the milestone, Philippine Airlines announced a week-long anniversary sale from 13 to 19 October 2025, offering discounted return fares between Sydney and Manila for travel beginning in early 2026.
Philippine Airlines President Richard Nuttall said the anniversary was a proud moment for the flag carrier and a reflection of the long-standing friendship between the Philippines and Australia.
“Philippine Airlines is proud to have flown generations of Australians and Filipinos across the skies between Sydney and Manila. Since our inaugural service in 1965, we have carried millions of passengers, shared countless ‘Mabuhay Moments,’ and helped connect businesses, families, and travellers alike. As we look to the next 60 years, PAL remains committed to delivering world-class service and care that comes from the heart,” Mr Nuttall said.
Australia and the Philippines are two neighbours that share far more than most Australians realise. While millions have travelled the route, the Philippines remains one of the region’s most dynamic destinations — a country of over 7,000 islands where world-class beaches meet innovation, and where friendship, family, and hospitality are a way of life.
Historic images and memorabilia from 60 years of flight
Facts from 60 years of friendship
- Visitor flows: Almost 300,000 Australians visited the Philippines in 2024, making Australia the 13th-largest inbound market.
- Community ties: More than 91,000 people in Greater Sydney were born in the Philippines, while over 106,000 residents in New South Wales identify as having Filipino ancestry — the state’s largest migrant community.
- Distance: The 6,243-kilometre flight from Sydney to Manila is longer than the entire east–west span of Australia, approximately 4,000 kilometres.
- Population contrasts: Metro Manila’s population of around 15 million is nearly three times Greater Sydney’s 5.4 million. The Philippines’ total population of 118 million lives within a land area smaller than New South Wales.
- Culture: The Philippines’ national dish, adobo, rivals Australia’s meat pie as a national icon. Both countries also share a fondness for beer — San Miguel Pale Pilsen in Manila, and Tooheys in Sydney.
- Language: More than 170 languages are spoken in the Philippines, with Filipino and English as co-official languages. In Australia, English is the national language, but over 300 languages are spoken, including Tagalog.
- Sport: Basketball remains the dominant sport in the Philippines, with a court in nearly every barangay, while Sydney is known for its passion for NRL and AFL.
- Education: The Philippines is among Australia’s top five source countries for international students, with about 35,000 enrolments in 2024.
- Nursing: The Philippines is the largest source of internationally qualified nurses in Australia, many of whom work in hospitals across New South Wales.
- Trade: Two-way trade between the two countries reached A$10.2 billion in 2023, with more than 250 Australian companies operating in the Philippines.
- Remittances: Filipino-Australians in Sydney send hundreds of millions of dollars home each year, supporting education, housing, and small businesses.
- Religion: Christianity is the predominant faith in both countries – practised by 91.5 per cent of Filipinos and 43.9 per cent of Australians.
- National anthems: The Philippine national anthem, Lupang Hinirang (“Chosen Land”), and Australia’s unofficial anthem, Great Southern Land, both reflect national pride.
- Floral emblems: Australia’s national flower is the wattle, while the Philippines’ equivalent is the sampaguita (Arabian jasmine).
- National colours: Australia’s national colours are green and gold; the Philippines’ are blue, red, and yellow.
- What’s in a name: The Philippines’ capital, Manila, is distinct from Manilla, a small town in northern New South Wales with a population of about 2,386.
More photos of the PAL celebration are available on Philtimes’ Facebook Page:
To commemorate six decades of connection, Philippine Airlines is encouraging Australians to rediscover the Philippines – its people, culture, and natural treasures – as the partnership between the two nations continues to deepen.
