According to the recent census 2021, the Philippines ranked 2nd in the Top Countries of Birth in the Northern Territory. But even with over 7000 Filipinos living in the NT, there are not currently any airlines offering direct flights from Darwin to Manila. 

Australia's gateway to Asia, a direct flight from Darwin to Manila takes only approximately 4 hours. Currently, it will take a traveller almost 24 hours to get to the Philippines due to multiple flights and increasing stop over times. 

The current available flights to the Philippines is via Singapore or via other cities in Australia ie. Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne which is not at all ideal - DRW-SYD 4 hours, SYD-MNL 8 hrs. The last known DRW-MLN direct flight via Jetstar was in March 2014. Jetstar used to have 4 weekly DRW-MNL flights prior to the cut. Philippine Airlines then took over and offered DRW-MNL direct flights, but had to follow Jetstar's steps to cease the flights not long after.  https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/jetstar-to-close-darwin-base-and-cut-nt-flights-20131209-2z0xl.html

With the influx of international students and the increasing number of migrants under skilled migration visas, Darwin is home to many Filipinos. Many have chosen to settle in the Territory because of its climate  and most of importantly, because of its distance from the Philippines - only 2988 kms away. 

The Filipino community in Darwin appeal to major airlines - Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Philippine Airlines to consider and bring back a DRW-MNL direct flight even just once a week. We appeal to our government leaders to support this request. It is below par to travel 24 hours instead of what normally takes 4 hours.