PH wants direct flights to India this year

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government wants the resumption of direct flights to India this year - after more than a decade - as part of its efforts to attract more visitors from the South Asian country.

During the 76th India National Day celebration in Taguig on Monday, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Harsh Kumar Jain expressed optimism on greater public engagement in 2025.

“Our people-to-people ties are poised to grow due to the likely commencement of direct flights between the two countries,” the Indian envoy said in his speech.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco confirmed that talks are underway between the Indian government and the Department of Transportation regarding the potential flight routes.

She noted that Air India and budget carrier IndiGo have been considered to mount direct flights.

“It looks like there will be direct flights within the year - that's what we are hoping for, especially now that electronic visas have been launched, and the president has instructed us to increase the efficiency of the e-visa process,” she said.

Frasco said the government is taking steps to facilitate the direct flights by organizing business missions to India and holding joint working group meetings.

She said the initiative also covers “direct flights to other tourist destinations like Cebu and Clark.”

The government said it plans to tap the Indian tourist market as an alternative to declining Chinese tourists.

Frasco was upbeat on the prospects of more Indian visitors in the country.

“Over 500,000 Indians visited ASEAN countries in 2024, but the Philippines only received nearly 80,000 arrivals - a number that is far too low compared to our neighbors. We are hopeful that with these interventions, the number of arrivals will significantly increase,” she added.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines had a Manila-New Delhi flight in 2011 but was short lived in less than a year for lack of demand.

There was an attempt in 2019 to resume the direct flight but was deferred due to tensions in the India-Pakistan border.