Jetstar Airways (Jetstar) previously reported plans to launch two new routes to the Philippines – Perth-Manila and Brisbane-Cebu (seasonal) – will proceed later this year.
Jetstar Airways (Jetstar) previously reported plans to launch two new routes to the Philippines – Perth-Manila and Brisbane-Cebu (seasonal) – will proceed later this year.
From November 27, the Qantas Group-backed Jetstar will launch its new thrice-weekly service connecting Perth in Western Australia and the Philippine capital city of Manila. The Brisbane-Cebu route – the first by any airline between Australia and the central Philippine city – will start with three weekly flights from November 27.
Both new routes will use Jetstar's Airbus A321LR aircraft.
Perth (PER)-Manila (MNL) starting November 27:
JQ81 PER-MNL (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) 2130H 0435H (+1)
JQ82 MNL-PER (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) 0600H 1300H
Brisbane (BNE)-Cebu (CEB) starting December 3 (seasonal):
JQ101 BNE-CEB (Sunday, Wednesday, Friday) 1230H 1715H
JQ100 CEB-BNE (same day) 1915H 0400H (+1)
In a statement, Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully highlighted the two new routes from Australia to the Philippines which is supported by the delivery of new aircraft to Jetstar's fleet.
“As demand for low-cost international travel continues to grow, our pipeline of new aircraft is helping us deliver even more low fares to new destinations - so our customers can take off more, for less,” Tully said.
Jetstar has launched or in the process of announcing 20 new domestic and international routes since June 2024. To support Jetstar's expansion, the airline has invested in new aircraft such as the Airbus A321LR and A320neo, while redeploying its widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners on longer routes.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the new Brisbane-Cebu route will become the 34th direct international connection from the capital of the Australian state of Queensland.
“This new route marks Brisbane Airport’s 34th direct international connection, which is the most ever, continuing our commitment to expanding travel opportunities and bringing the world closer to Queensland,” Graaff said.
Qantas Group filed the application for the new Jetstar-operated routes with Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) in March 2025. The application was approved on June 26, 2025 allocating a weekly seat capacity of 1,927 on the Philippines route for Qantas or Jetstar valid for five years from May 9, 2026.
Between Australia and the Philippines, Qantas operates a combined 11 weekly flights to/from Manila – seven weekly (daily) to Sydney and four weekly to Brisbane.
Historic Route to Australia from Cebu
Following Jetstar's announcement of the new Brisbane-Cebu route, the operator fo the Mactan Cebu International Airport – Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (Aboitiz InfraCapital) – stated the new route supports the airport and the operator's goal to grow its international network, bring in more airline partners, and make travel easier and more accessible for passengers.
“Following our efforts to open Cebu to more new routes, this is a big step. Over the past
months, our teams have worked closely to explore this opportunity, and we are pleased that
this is finally happening,” said Athanasios Titonis, CEO of Aboitiz Infracapital Cebu Airport
Corporation. “Jetstar’s presence in Cebu will not only strengthen our airport’s connectivity but also open new doors for tourism and trade between the Philippines and Australia.”
With the addition of Brisbane, Australia, travelers will be able to travel on direct flights to 13 destinations in nine countries and territories: Japan (Tokyo- Narita, Osaka-Kansai), South Korea (Seoul-Incheon, Busan-Gimhae, Daegu), Mainland China (Shanghai-Pudong, Shenzhen), Hong Kong, Taiwan (Taipei-Taoyuan), Thailand (Bangkok-Don Mueang), Singapore, and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City).
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