Air India's Delhi-Manila Nonstop to Power Philippines’ Visa-Free Push
Photo Credit: Boracay in the Philippines is a popular beach destination. Pixabay / enmoredo
Skift Take
Direct flights and visa waivers won’t fix everything, but they’re a start. If the Philippines wants more Indian travelers, this is the way forward. Now if only the numbers follow the policies.
Starting October 1, Air India will operate direct flights between Delhi and Manila five days a week. This makes it the only airline offering non-stop service between India and the Philippines.
For Indian travelers, it opens up the Philippines as a more viable destination at a time when Southeast Asia is becoming more competitive and accessible.
Last month, the Philippines introduced visa-free entry for Indian tourists for up to 14 days.
Air India’s route is also about economics. Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached $3.53 billion in 2023-24 — nearly double the figure from 2015-16. As companies look for new markets, direct connectivity becomes a logistical asset.
Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO and managing director, said: “The introduction of our Delhi-Manila route is yet another step in our mission to connect India with more of the world, non-stop. As outbound travel from India grows at an unprecedented pace... the new entry rules for Indian tourists are a shot in the arm to boost tourism to the Philippines.”
Air India said the route would also create one-stop access to Manila for passengers from Europe and the Gulf via Delhi, expanding the Philippines’ visibility on wider travel itineraries.
Philippines Tourism Looking to Diversify
The Philippines is trying to balance its inbound tourism portfolio. It saw a steep decline in Chinese tourist arrivals post-Covid. Against a target of 2 million Chinese visitors in 2024, only 300,000 came. The shortfall was stark.
Speaking at the Skift Asia Forum last month, Tourism Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines, Christina Garcia Frasco, said: “The lesson that we learned from that is to really diversify our dependency into other markets as well.”
India has emerged as a clear focus. With an expanding middle class, strong outbound travel growth, and a reputation for higher spending tourists, Indian travelers fit the bill.
In 2024, 79,000 Indian travelers visited the Philippines — a 12% increase over the previous year, but still modest compared to other Southeast Asian countries. The aim is to close that gap.
At the forum, Frasco also spoke about conscious efforts being made to increase direct connectivity from all over the world to the Philippines. She added that she is hopeful of direct flights between India and the Philippines “very soon.”
Visa-Free Entry for Indians
Earlier this month, the Philippines rolled out visa-free access for Indian passport holders.
- 14-day visa-free entry for all Indian tourists entering through regular means (non-extendable).
- 30-day visa-free entry for Indian citizens holding valid visas or residence permits for the U.S., U.K., Canada, Schengen countries, Australia, Japan, or Singapore.
An e-visa option also remains available. For Indian tourists used to long processing times and uncertain approvals in the region, this move lowers a major barrier.
Rajeev Kale, president and country head – holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India) called the announcement “a strategic move” to unlock the potential of India’s powerful and rapidly growing outbound market. “As a fresh and emerging hotspot in the short to mid-haul Southeast Asian corridor, the Philippines represents an attractive product and price proposition for Indian travelers,” Kale said.
Digital Nomads, Weddings, and More
However, Philippines is not just targeting leisure tourism. The destination is also building a digital nomad visa program, aimed at long-term visitors who can work remotely and contribute to the local economy.
Frasco explained that this move is about sustainability and quality: “The plan is to woo quality travelers who respect sustainability efforts and benefit the country through high tourism spending and repeat visits.”
The government is also marketing the country as a wedding and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination for the Indian market. This includes infrastructure improvements, Muslim-friendly tourism options, and better Wi-Fi across more than 90 destinations.
Maria Margarita Nograles, chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board, said, “We are now looking at India and we are working closely together.”
Philippines Tourism Secretary at the Skift Asia Forum
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