Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on Friday said Jetstar Airways’ direct flights between Perth and Manila stand to perk up the country’s tourism industry.

Frasco lauded Jetstar Airways launching of direct flights from the Australian city to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 last Friday, and underscored the importance of strengthening ties with the sixth-largest country in the world, as it is anticipated to enhance tourism, business, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

‘Flight represents more than just travel’

“This flight represents more than just travel; it symbolizes our commitment to offering opportunities for tourism and business, making it easier for travelers to fly to Manila and further connect the Philippines to the world,” she said.

Carrying 169 passengers, Jetstar’s six-hour and 35-minute inaugural flight was welcomed with some Filipino performances at the airport terminal.

With this maiden flight to Manila, the low-cost airline with a capacity of 232 seats, will operate the Perth-Manila route three times a week, that is, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Flight JQ80 will depart Manila at 5:35 a.m. and arrive in Perth at 1 p.m., while flight JQ81 will leave Perth at 9:10 p.m., arriving in Manila at 4:15 a.m.

More popularity among Australian tourists

On the other hand, Cebu City, dubbed the Queen City of the South, with its popular premier destinations, is expected to gain even more popularity among Australian tourists with Cebu’s first-ever direct connection to Brisbane.

The new seasonal route, which will begin on 3 December and continue through 16 May 2026, will operate three times a week every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The direct flights open the door for more Australian tourists to explore the Philippines’ world-renowned beaches, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage, as the country positions itself as a prime destination for Australian travelers.

‘The vision is clear’

“The vision is clear, the Philippines is so much more than a destination measured by tourist arrivals, it is an experience that is all at once enriching, immersing, and sustaining through the air connectivity, further expanding opportunities for our people, enhancing the country’s competitive edge on the global tourism stage,” Secretary Frasco said.

Australia is now the Philippines’ fifth-largest inbound tourism market. As of March 2025, 271,207 Australian travelers arrived in the country via air, accounting for about 5 percent of all tourist arrivals.

A significant 53 percent of Aussies returned to the Philippines to rediscover popular tourist spots and experience Filipino hospitality.

The destinations frequently visited by Australians include Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City; Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and Boracay in Aklan.