CEB begins Manila to Melbourne service
Published Aug 14, 2018 12:00 am

Shown (from left) are: Joined by Cebu Pacific cabin crew: Ms. Elodie Journet, Senior Trade Commissioner and Counsellor, Australian Trade Commission; Ms. Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Distribution; Her Excellency Amanda Gorely, Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia in the Philippines; Ms. Cristina Mojica, Counsellor for Transport; and First Secretary William Temperly of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines.
Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) launched its maiden Manila-Melbourne flight yesterday (August 14, 2018). The only low-cost carrier operating the route, Cebu Pacific, offers thrice weekly services using itsAirbus A330 aircraft fleet.
CEB launched the new route with a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday frequency, and an all-in seat sale fare of P3,999 per way until August 20, 2018, or until seats last. Travel period is from October 01, 2018 to March 30, 2019.
After this seat sale, lowest year-round fares are 60% lower than other airlines, Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution said during the inaugural event.
“This new route will enable more Australian travelers — from adventure-seekers to leisure tourists to families on holiday — to discover the paradise that is the Philippines,” she added.
“This will enable more Filipino immigrants, or Australians of Filipino descent, to discover their roots or visit family and friends more often,” added Iyog.
Australia is also home to a considerable overseas Filipino community. More than 300,000 Australian residents are with Filipino descent, with more than 68,000 based in the Melbourne area.
Melbourne is Cebu Pacific’s second destination in Australia, since it entered the Australian market in 2014 with the launch of its Manila-Sydney flights. The airline has helped spur travel and commerce between the two destinations; and has since led the route in terms of passengers and cargo carried.
Cebu Air Inc. is the largest carrier in the Philippine air transportation industry, offering its low-cost services to more destinations and routes with higher flight frequency within the Philippines than any other airline.
CEB currently offers flights to a total of 37 domestic and 26 international destinations, operating an extensive network across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and the US. Its 67-strong fleet is comprised of 36 Airbus A320, eight AirbusA330, five Airbus A321ceo, eight ATR 72-500 and ten ATR 72-600. Between 2018 and 2022, CEB expects delivery of 32 Airbus A321neos, three more Airbus A321ceos, and six more ATR 72-600 aircraft.