More flight seats to Australia sought

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is seeking to double the number of flight seats to Australia as it engages in a new round of air talks, paving the ground for more capacity as demand goes up.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) will meet with its Australian counterpart tomorrow, July 11, to discuss a proposal to expand the number of air seats between the Philippines and Australia.

CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said the Philippines initiated the air talks, as it wants to scale up airline capacity to Australia to provide travelers with more flying options.

In particular, CAB is working with Australia to double the number of air seats to 60,000. Arcilla said the agency sees the urgency for additional supply, as Australia is becoming a work and study haven for thousands of Filipinos.

Given this, Philippine and Australian carriers are mounting new routes and more flights between the two countries. Low-cost carrier Jetstar Airways, for instance, plans to launch Manila flights to Perth and Cebu connections to Brisbane by November.

Jetstar, based in Melbourne, Australia, is a subsidiary of Australia’s flag carrier Qantas.

If things go as planned, the flights will run thrice weekly, and Jetstar is designating a 232-seater Airbus A321neos in connecting the routes.

Currently, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the lone airline linking Manila and Perth, and it also reaches Brisbane on a daily basis.

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific also offers Manila services to Melbourne and Sydney on a weekly frequency. Jetstar’s parent Qantas, on the other hand, sends out Manila trips to Sydney on a daily schedule and Brisbane four times a week.

Based on data from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, Filipinos comprise the fifth largest migrant community in Australia, totaling 361,860 as of 2023. Australia is attracting more and more Filipinos for its academic and work opportunities.

Arcilla said the Philippines, particularly Manila, is gaining interest from foreign carriers because of its airport upgrades and tourism drive.

Flag carrier Air India, for instance, is arriving at the Philippines on October 1, and it will mount weekly flights between Manila and New Delhi using an A321.