Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco (2nd from left) presents travel destinations in the Philippines to IndiGo senior vice president Vinay Malhotra during a meeting in New Delhi, India on Wednesday (Aug. 6, 2025). Frasco met with Malhotra as part of the activities of the Philippine delegation that accompanied President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit. (Photo courtesy of DOT)
The Philippines is set to soar higher on the global tourism map as IndiGo Airlines — India’s largest passenger carrier — gears up to launch direct flights from India to Manila and Cebu by next year.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco confirmed the strong government backing for the move, calling it a “significant step” toward deepening travel and economic ties between the two countries. Frasco, who also serves as vice chair of the Civil Aeronautics Board, met with IndiGo’s Senior Vice President Vinay Malhotra during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent state visit.
With a massive fleet of over 400 aircraft and 2,300 daily flights to 130 destinations, IndiGo flew a staggering 118 million passengers in 2024 alone. And it’s still growing — adding one new plane every week, with more than 1,000 on order. This expansion paves the way for the airline to roll out long-haul services that could directly connect India’s major hubs to the Philippines’ prime gateways.
“The Philippines is definitely on our radar,” Malhotra said, noting that the country is in the same league of interest as Seychelles, Mauritius, and Bali.
Frasco welcomed the airline’s keen interest, saying it aligns perfectly with President Marcos’ reforms to create a more travel-friendly environment and strengthen connectivity. “No less than our President has committed to making the climate for travel from India to the Philippines truly flourish,” she said, vowing DOT support through coordination, strategic partnerships, and joint marketing campaigns.
The talks also highlighted India’s recent grant of free e-visas for Filipino travelers — a move reciprocated by the Philippines — in a bid to fuel two-way tourism growth.
India is fast emerging as a key market for Philippine tourism. Air India is already set to start five weekly direct flights from New Delhi to Manila on October 1, and with IndiGo entering the picture, the travel bridge between the two countries is poised to get even stronger.