Cebu Pacific has today announced it will increase services between Melbourne Airport and Manila in December to meet growing demand.

The Melbourne-Manila service currently operates three times a week using the modern A330-900neo with capacity to carry 459 passengers, but Cebu Pacific plans to increase this service to four flights a week from December.

The additional service will take capacity in the Philippines market above pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the announcement highlights the growth playing out in the Southeast Asian market.

“Since the pandemic we’ve seen South-east Asia emerge as one of our best performing markets, with three of the four fastest growth countries coming from that region,” he said. 

“The Philippines has seen a 43 per cent growth in passengers since the pandemic, while key markets such as Vietnam and Thailand have recorded 60 per cent and 25 per cent growth respectively.

“Since resuming operations at Melbourne Airport in March last year, Cebu Pacific has seen strong two-way demand for the service underpinned by international students, trade and tourism. 

“The number of international students from the Philippines coming to Australia to study has doubled since 2019.

“In February, we saw thousands of people pack Federation Square for Filipino star Taylor Sheesh’s performance and I think that ignited the Philippines travel bug for a lot of Victorians.

“Load factors on these services have been high recently, which is incredible when you consider the seat configuration on this aircraft allows it to carry nearly as many people as an A380.

“Due to the high demand, we are working with Cebu Pacific to increase this service further and are hopeful they will move to five flights a week in the not-too-distant future.

“The international market at Melbourne Airport has shifted firmly from recovery to growth, and these services will solidify that position.”