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Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and executives of Air India executives recently met to discuss the potential of establishing direct flights between India and the Philippines
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The February 18 meeting served as an opportunity for the India flag carrier to gain clarity on regulatory requirements and procedures necessary for securing flight approvals from CAAP
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CAAP said both parties expressed optimism about the potential for direct flights, highlighting the growing demand for travel between India and the Philippines
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and Air India officials recently met to discuss the potential of establishing direct flights between India and the Philippines.
The February 18 meeting served as an opportunity for the India flag carrier to gain clarity on regulatory requirements and procedures necessary for securing flight approvals from CAAP, the aviation authority said in a statement.
CAAP said both parties expressed optimism about the potential for direct flights, highlighting the growing demand for travel between India and the Philippines.
During the meeting, CAAP officials emphasized the authority’s commitment to streamlining the flight approval process while ensuring compliance with all applicable safety and operational standards. They also outlined the necessary documentation, technical requirements, and other key aspects of the application, including potential routes, frequencies, and logistics.
Both parties concluded the meeting with a mutual commitment to continue working to make direct flights between India and the Philippines a reality soon, CAAP noted.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) last month said direct flights between India and the Philippines are in the works while Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Harsh Kumar Jain said people-to-people contacts are “poised to grow more” with the “likely commencement of direct flights between the two countries in the next few months.”
According to DOT, around 79,000 Indian visitors traveled to the Philippines in 2024, a 12% growth from 2023.
The Philippines and India currently have an updated air services agreement (ASA) signed in September 2021 to improve connectivity and enhance mutual economic growth between the two countries.
The agreement opens the market for competition, where multiple airlines can operate and more flights activated. The 2021 ASA was an amendment of the 2018 agreement, which revised the 1949 ASA.
