DTI, InterGlobe push direct India-Philippines flights

MANILA — The Department of Trade and Industry is working with Indian conglomerate InterGlobe Enterprises to expand direct air links between India and the Philippines, with proposed services connecting Delhi and Mumbai to Manila and Cebu.

If approved and launched, the additional routes could give travelers and businesses more direct options between the two countries, potentially reducing the cost and time of connecting journeys while improving access for tourism, trade, investment, and air cargo.

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque led a business meeting with InterGlobe executives in New Delhi, India, on Sept. 12 to discuss the proposed air services and other potential investments.

Joining the meeting were InterGlobe Air Transport Director and InterGlobe Hotels President and CEO JB Singh, Vice President of Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs Rajan Malhotra, and Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs Ragini Chopra.

InterGlobe said InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., which operates IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has filed an application with the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board to operate direct flights to the country.

The initial routes under evaluation would connect Mumbai and Manila, followed closely by direct services linking Mumbai and Delhi with Cebu.

The proposed services would expand an India-Philippines market that already has a nonstop Delhi-Manila connection operated by Air India, which inaugurated the route on Oct. 1, 2025.

Adding IndiGo would introduce another operator into the market while potentially creating the first direct links between Mumbai and Manila and between major Indian hubs and Cebu.

The planned routes would also connect Philippine destinations with IndiGo’s extensive domestic Indian network and its services to the Middle East.

That connectivity could position Manila and Cebu as onward-connection points for Indian outbound trade, business travelers, and cargo traffic, according to the DTI.

“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.

Roque said the government intends to help address the commercial and regulatory requirements needed to launch the proposed services.

“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” Roque added.

The DTI also offered to facilitate high-level introductions between InterGlobe and Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to explore General Sales Agency representation, codeshare agreements, and interline arrangements.

Such partnerships could allow airlines to coordinate ticket sales and passenger connections across their respective networks without requiring each carrier to operate every segment of a journey.

The discussions went beyond aviation and covered possible opportunities across InterGlobe’s other businesses.

The DTI and InterGlobe discussed enterprise technology and artificial intelligence opportunities involving AIONOS, InterGlobe’s AI business venture.

The parties also explored business-to-business express logistics opportunities in Philippine economic zones involving MOVIN Logistics and UPS.

Pilot-training opportunities were discussed through InterGlobe’s CAE joint venture, CAE Simulation Training Private Ltd., or CSTPL.

The meeting also covered possible hospitality asset partnerships between InterGlobe and Philippine conglomerates.

The broader discussions could widen the economic impact of the engagement beyond passenger travel by bringing potential investments into logistics, technology, skills development, and hospitality.

The DTI said it will serve as InterGlobe’s primary Philippine government focal point for regulatory assessments, airport slot allocations, inter-agency coordination, and investment facilitation.