Melbourne Airport has joined with Cebu Pacific Air to announce the airline will begin flying out of Melbourne from 14 August 2018, giving Victorians a new non-stop route to Manila.  

The airline is new to the world’s most liveable city and will be the second carrier to service the Melbourne-Manila route.

Cebu Pacific’s service will operate three times per week on a 436 seat Airbus A330-300.

Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Simon Gandy said he was delighted to kick start the year welcoming another new international airline.

“We are thrilled to secure Cebu Pacific Air at Melbourne Airport in a move that creates more choice and frequency for travellers flying to and from the Philippines and beyond,” said Mr Gandy.

“There is significant traveller demand in the route especially in the visiting friends and relatives market, as well as the growing business traveller market segment.

“Recent Tourism Australia data revealed in the first five months of 2017 Filipino visitor numbers to Australia were up 21 per cent, and there’s no doubt that there’s room for this to continue.

“Cebu Pacific will be using its largest aircraft to service the route on an Airbus A330-300, which adds 136,406 seats both ways per year to Melbourne.”

Mr Gandy said the demand for travel to and from Melbourne is showing no signs of slowing down supporting the development of new services and routes boosting the airport’s network.

“Our traveller numbers are now approaching 100,000 people every day, and this underpins the strategic importance of investing in our airport,” said Mr Gandy.

“We’re focused on improving our airport facilities with upgrades both inside the terminal building and airside.  The most important part of our investment in the coming years will be our proposed third runway, which will enable us to provide even more opportunity for international visitors to access Melbourne and Victoria, and more options for Victorian travellers heading off to see the world.”

Tickets are now on sale for the non-stop service.