Air India has launched five-weekly non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila, its first direct service to the Philippines, effective the winter 2025 schedule. The inaugural was announced in a Times of India report on 25 October, timed to capitalise on Manila’s new 14-day visa-free window for Indian passport holders.
Route specifics: Flight AI 2362 departs Delhi 13:20, arriving Manila 22:40; return AI 2361 leaves Manila 23:40, landing Delhi 03:50. Operated by 256-seat A321XLRs, the service cuts journey time by four to six hours versus one-stop options via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
Mobility impact: 1) Indian IT-BPM firms with delivery centres in Metro Manila gain faster rotation for project teams and can avoid repeated visa paperwork for trips under two weeks. 2) Philippine corporates courting Indian investors benefit from reciprocal access as India grants e-Visas to Filipino nationals.
Competitive dynamics: Air India steals first-mover advantage over Cebu Pacific and IndiGo, both evaluating wide-body orders. Trade officials predict two-way traffic could double to 300,000 passengers annually, supporting talks on an India-Philippines Air Services Agreement upgrade.
Policy alignment: The launch dovetails with India’s Act East policy and expanding defence cooperation with Manila. In a year when Singapore topped the Henley Index, easing Manila access offers Indians an alternative ASEAN gateway without onerous paperwork.
Route specifics: Flight AI 2362 departs Delhi 13:20, arriving Manila 22:40; return AI 2361 leaves Manila 23:40, landing Delhi 03:50. Operated by 256-seat A321XLRs, the service cuts journey time by four to six hours versus one-stop options via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
Mobility impact: 1) Indian IT-BPM firms with delivery centres in Metro Manila gain faster rotation for project teams and can avoid repeated visa paperwork for trips under two weeks. 2) Philippine corporates courting Indian investors benefit from reciprocal access as India grants e-Visas to Filipino nationals.
Competitive dynamics: Air India steals first-mover advantage over Cebu Pacific and IndiGo, both evaluating wide-body orders. Trade officials predict two-way traffic could double to 300,000 passengers annually, supporting talks on an India-Philippines Air Services Agreement upgrade.
Policy alignment: The launch dovetails with India’s Act East policy and expanding defence cooperation with Manila. In a year when Singapore topped the Henley Index, easing Manila access offers Indians an alternative ASEAN gateway without onerous paperwork.
