Air India's Direct Flights Between New Delhi and Manila Seen to Boost PH Tourism
India’s flag carrier, Air India, will expand air services to the Philippines with the launch of direct flights between New Delhi and Manila.
Starting October 1, Air India will roll out direct non-stop flights between the two capitals on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the airline said in a statement. The airline will use an Airbus A321 neo aircraft, which offers Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class, for these flights.
“As outbound travel from India grows at an unprecedented pace, with Indian tourists ranking among the highest spenders globally, the new entry rules for Indian tourists are a shot in the arm to boost tourism in the Philippines,” Air India CEO and managing director Campbell Wilson said. “We are happy to facilitate new opportunities for cultural exchange and economic collaboration between the two nations, while bringing the new Air India to more travelers around the world.”
Air India said the new e-visa policy would make tourist hotspots like Boracay, Palawan and Cebu more accessible to eager Indian tourists.
“With its 7,000 plus islands and a dynamic blend of cultural and modern attractions, the Philippines holds great tourism potential for Indian travellers,” Air India said.
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The Department of Transportation has said it is looking at expanding flight networks through talks with countries such as India, the United States, Australia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Ethiopia, Oman and the Seychelles.
Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached $3.53 billion in 2023 to 2024, almost double the $1.89 billion in 2015 to 2016.
Based on government data from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) a total of 7,259 Indians have been issued electronic visas. Government data also showed that nearly 80,000 Indian nationals visited the Philippines last year.
The DFA earlier rolled out e-visa services at the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi and three honorary consulates in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
Indian nationals may also apply for these visas remotely and pay the required fees through direct bank transfers.
The Indian Embassy welcomed the development of non-stop direct flights saying it would boost tourism and support local businesses.
“The direct flight would provide strong impetus to tourism, business, and people to people contacts between the two countries,” it said in a statement.
In the first four months to April, the Philippines posted about 2.1 million visitor arrivals, of whom 1.93 million were foreign travelers and 170,815 were overseas Filipinos, according to the Department of Tourism.
Last year, the country booked about 5.95 million visitor arrivals, well off its target of 7.7 million.
