MANILA — PINOYS, IT’S TIME to make that Australia dream trip real. Better yet, book flights to Melbourne now from as low as P2,199 before seats run out.

Cebu Pacific announced today it’s opening a direct Manila-Melbourne flight starting August 18, 2018, with a seat sale to match: fares from P2,199 are bookable February 27 to March 3, 2018, valid for travel from August 14 to October 31, 2018.

There’s plenty to celebrate: this route lets Philippine residents explore Melbourne, named by The Economist as the world’s most livable city for seven years running, with a near-perfect 97.5/100 livability score that beat out Vienna, Austria. Rounding out the top ranks are the Canadian cities of Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary.

This already majestic Melbourne skyline is about to change as the city develops even taller buildings now.

If you miss the seat sale, don’t worry — Cebu Pacific’s year-round fares start from as low as PHP9,539, still 50 to 60 percent cheaper than other airlines’ prevailing rates.

This is not a one-way thing though. Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific’s Vice-President for Marketing and Distribution said they share the same excitement of the Filipino community in Melbourne, and Australian travelers who want to experience the Philippines. “This news will give travelers from Australia seamless connections to other destinations in the Philippines at year-round low fares. This will enable Filipinos living in the Melbourne area to visit their families more often, and encourage more Australian tourists to spend their holidays in the Philippines.”

The route is good for the economy too: more affordable direct-flight cargo capacity strengthens trade between the Philippines and Australia, benefiting importers, exporters, and retailers moving products between both countries, Iyog said.

This is the airline’s second Australian destination. Its 2014 Manila-Sydney route paved the way for an average 16 percent increase in tourist arrivals over the following four years, with Philippine arrivals climbing steadily from 70,000 in 2014 to over 120,000 this year, according to Cebu Pacific.

Do you know that Australia’s most luxe shopping precinct is in Melbourne?

Amanda Gorely, Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Philippines said this development is a testament to growing trade and people-to-people links. “Melbourne is a great city to explore and increased flights will also bring more Australian tourists to the Philippines. This will also be welcome news to a quarter of a million Filipinos who now call Australia home, and the more than 10,000 students who travel there each year.

Cebu Pacific will fly Manila-Melbourne three times weekly — Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Check cebupacificair.com for details. More on Melbourne in a separate post.