Low fares leader Jetstar is celebrating the creation of its first connection between Australia and the Philippines with its inaugural service from Darwin to Manila touching down overnight and heralding a new era of low fares for travellers between the two countries.

Darwin in the Northern Territory represents the second international destination to be served from Manila by Jetstar’s growing Pan Asian network.

The new service will operate three times a week and joins Jetstar’s popular service from Manila to Singapore, currently operated by Jetstar Asia 18 times weekly.

Manila is Jetstar’s 14th international destination to be operated from Australia and reflects the Jetstar Group’s growing focus on the Philippines and its growth potential within the carrier’s rapidly expanding Pan Asian network which now includes 56 destinations in 14 countries.

Darwin is the gateway to some of Australia’s most iconic tourist experiences with the Northern Territory home to the World-Heritage listed Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and other spectacular natural attractions including Katherine Gorge.

Jetstar is celebrating the start of Darwin to Manila services with one-way JetSaver Light** sale fares from Manila-Darwin from $119USD.

JetSaver Light sale fares for travel Manila-Sydney (via Darwin), Manila-Melbourne (via Darwin), and Manila-Brisbane (via Darwin) are available from $219USD. Sale fares are on sale until midnight 11 February 2011 (Philippines time) and are available for travel between 4 May 2011 and 22 June 2011. Sale fares are subject to availability and are not available on all flights or all days. Terms and conditions apply see Jetstar.com.

Jetstar Group Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the new service marked Jetstar’s continued Pan Asian expansion and a renewed outlook for growth in the Philippines.

“Jetstar is now the largest low fares carrier in Asia in terms of revenue and we remain focused on continuing our Asian growth momentum in 2011 which saw our Asian reach in terms of capacity grow by over 50 per cent in 2010,” Mr Buchanan said.

“This new service reflects our confidence in expanding our services in the Philippines and the potential role the Philippines could play in Jetstar’s future.”

Jetstar Asia Chief Executive Officer Chong Phit Lian said Jetstar Asia commenced services from Singapore to Manila in 2005 and increased services from 10 weekly flights to 18 weekly flights during 2010.

“Manila continues to play an important role within the Jetstar Asia network and was one of our priority markets we decided to increase services to with new aircraft received last year.

“In 2010, we almost doubled services from Singapore in response to ongoing strong demand and we have no doubt that the new services from Manila to other destinations within the Jetstar network will further increase traffic and brand awareness that in turn prepares us for even more growth opportunities,” Ms Chong said.

The new Jetstar connection grows the Qantas Group’s existing presence of a four times weekly Sydney-Manila service.

Jetstar Australia & NZ CEO David Hall, who travelled on the inaugural service from Darwin to Manila with a trade delegation from the Northern Territory Government, said the service had already been well received.

“Filipino Australians now represent the third largest overseas born population base in Darwin and this new service will provide even greater opportunity for accessible leisure and commercial related travel between Manila, Darwin and other Australian cities,” Mr Hall said.

“We expect it to be a great success for both inbound and outbound tourism, and we are actively promoting this new link as part of our overall commitment to promoting two-way low fares traffic between Australia and Asia.”

Jetstar today joined the Northern Territory trade delegation in conducting a series of meetings and events in conjunction with the Australian Embassy in Manila to promote the new Australian air link, and Jetstar’s increasing investment in the Philippines.

Jetstar’s all day, every day Jetsaver Light fares from Manila to Darwin start from $169USD and are up to 30 per cent lower than current competitors’ fares between the Philippines and Australia.

All Jetstar fares are covered by Jetstar’s Low Fares Guarantee which means that should a customer find an online fare with another carrier on the same route, on the same day at a comparable time to Jetstar, Jetstar will beat this fare by 10 per cent. See Jetstar.com for full details and terms and conditions.

**JetSaver Light fares include 10kg of carry-on luggage only, and no checked-in baggage. JetSaver fares, which includes 20kg checked-in luggage, can be purchased for an additional $20USD.

Jetstar’s Darwin - Manila schedule - flights commence 9 February 2011

Departs Darwin - Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

• Darwin-Manila - JQ 75 19.00-21.40
• Manila-Darwin - JQ 76 22.55-05.00 (+1)

To/ From SYDNEY

• Sydney-Darwin - JQ 75 1400-1705
• Darwin-Manila - JQ 75 19.00-21.40
• Manila-Darwin - JQ76 22.55-05.00 (+1)
• Darwin-Sydney - JQ 76 07.15-13.05 (+1)

To/ From MELBOURNE

• Melbourne-Darwin - JQ 61 1405-1650 
• Darwin-Manila - JQ 75 19.00-21.40
• Manila-Darwin - JQ76 22.55-05.00 (+1)
• Darwin-Melbourne - JQ 62 07.30-13.10 (+1)

To/ From CAIRNS

• Cairns –Darwin - JQ 57 12.45-14.45
• Darwin-Manila - JQ 75 19.00-21.40
• Manila-Darwin - JQ 76 22.55-05.00 (+1)
• Darwin-Cairns - JQ 58 06.20-09.20

To/ From BRISBANE

• Brisbane–Darwin - JQ 81 12.15-15.45
• Darwin-Manila - JQ 75 19.00-21.40
• Manila-Darwin - JQ 76 22.55-05.00 (+1)
• Darwin-Brisbane - JQ 82 06.40-11.00

Point-Of-Sale Philippines (To/From) MANILA

(USD): Every day one-way JetSaver Light fare at Jetstar.com from:

• Darwin $ 169
• Sydney $ 349
• Melbourne $ 316
• Cairns $ 363
• Brisbane $ 359