BEAUTIFUL BRISBANE

Filipinos now have more options to get to Australia with their national carrier Qantas launching new nonstop flights to Brisbane, Queensland.

- PEPPER TEEHANKEE

The Airbus A330 flies four times a week, adding an extra 100,000 seats between the Philippines and Australia annually. Qantas first touched down in the Philippines in 1947 with Lancastrian aircraft supporting Australian Government military operations, before introducing passenger services in 1950. The first jet flights from Manila commenced in 1961 with Boeing 707 services flying to Sydney and forgoing the need of a stopover for the first time. Today, the Flying Kangaroo operates over 300,000 seats between the Philippines and Australia every year and will celebrate 75 years of passenger services between the two countries next year!

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said, "The Philippines is a very strong market for Qantas and we are pleased to be responding to demand for our services with the addition of flights to Brisbane. Just a short overnight flight away, Brisbane is the perfect starting point to Australia. Once in Queensland, you can explore the seemingly endless pristine beaches, incredible rainforests and vast country plains as well as our friendly Australian hospitality."