A new era in Philippines-India connectivity took flight Wednesday as Air India inaugurated its direct New Delhi-Manila service, restoring non-stop air links between the two countries after more than a decade.
Flight AI 2362 departed from Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), carrying Indian tourists, media personalities, business travelers, and India-based Filipino expatriates-many visiting the Philippines for the first time.
The return leg, AI 2361, completes the roundtrip service, which will operate five times weekly, excluding Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The non-stop flight has a duration of approximately six and a half hours-significantly shorter than the usual 9 to 12 hours required for connecting flights via Bangkok, Hong Kong, or other hubs.
The launch ceremony was led by Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio and Air India Group Head for Governance, Risk Compliance and Corporate Affairs, P. Balaji, joined by senior officials from the Philippine Embassy, IGIA, and other stakeholders.
Ignacio and Balaji lit a ceremonial lamp to mark the occasion.
‘According to a Filipino proverb, ‘the prompt beats the industrious.’ Sincere thanks therefore go to Air India and its leadership, for this big, bold step – less a leap of faith than a show of confidence in the viability of this route.
‘It is an expression as well of Air India’s confidence in the upward trajectory of our larger relations, as expressed in tourism, business, people-to-people contacts, MICE, and other purposes that warrant direct, seamless, and comfortable air connectivity,’ Ambassador Ignacio said.
With the addition of Manila, Air India now operates to eight destinations across seven countries in Southeast Asia, further strengthening its regional footprint. The new route not only boosts direct travel between India and the Philippines but also opens new connections for Filipino travelers to access Air India’s expanding network across Europe and North America via Delhi.
Flights between Delhi and Manila are operated using Airbus A321LR aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration-Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.
Air India is among the few carriers in Southeast Asia offering fully flat beds in Business Class on single-aisle aircraft.
‘The launch of non-stop flights to Manila unlocks the immense potential for tourism to the Philippines,’ Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Air India said. ‘Indian travelers, with their growing appetite for leisure and increasing spending power, are seeking new destinations. These services will showcase the Philippines’ vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, while fostering greater trade and cultural exchange.’
The launch follows recent visa policy reforms that have made travel easier: the Philippines now offers 14-day visa-free entry to Indian tourists, while India grants gratis e-visas to Filipino visitors.
It also builds on the elevation of Philippines-India ties to a Strategic Partnership, formalized during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s State Visit to India in July 2025.
Flight AI 2362 is expected to arrive at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 10:40pm Manila time Wednesday.