Direct flights to link India, PH
Direct flights linking India’s major hubs to Manila and Cebu are moving closer to reality as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) works with Indian conglomerate InterGlobe Enterprises to establish new air connections between the two countries.
InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has filed an application with the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to introduce direct flights to the Philippines, according to the DTI.
The initial routes being evaluated include Mumbai-Manila, followed by direct services connecting Mumbai and Delhi to Cebu.
The proposed links could give Philippine destinations direct access to IndiGo’s extensive domestic Indian network as well as its Middle East routes, creating new opportunities for business travel, tourism, trade and cargo movement.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque discussed the proposed air links during a business meeting with InterGlobe executives in New Delhi on September 12.
“Direct air connectivity between India and the Philippines is an essential bridge to increase trade, investment, and tourism opportunities. Expanding direct flights and establishing air links expands our capacity for growth, connects key economic hubs, and opens up new opportunities for both our business sectors and citizens,” Secretary Roque said in a DTI news release.
Roque said the DTI would help facilitate the regulatory and commercial requirements needed to support the launch of the proposed routes.
“The DTI stands fully committed to facilitating their commercial requirements, coordinating with relevant regulatory bodies, and fostering strategic partnerships with local carriers to ensure a seamless launch,” she added.
The DTI will serve as the government’s primary focal point in assisting InterGlobe with regulatory assessments, slot allocations, inter-agency coordination and investment facilitation.
It will also facilitate discussions between InterGlobe and Philippine carriers Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific on possible General Sales Agency (GSA), codeshare and interline arrangements.
Beyond aviation, the talks explored potential investments and partnerships in technology and artificial intelligence through AIONOS, logistics through MOVIN Logistics and UPS, pilot training through its CAE joint venture, and hospitality assets with Philippine conglomerates.
The proposed direct flights are expected to strengthen people-to-people links while making travel between the two rapidly growing Asian economies more accessible and supporting expanded trade and tourism.
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