The Department of Tourism has confirmed that direct flights from India to Manila are now in the works, targeted to be finalized in the coming months, as they aim to attract more Indian tourists to the Philippines this year.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, during the Indian Republic Day reception in Taguig City on Monday, said both India and the Philippines are optimistic about the prospect of direct flights between the two countries.

“But what the DOT is also advocating for is not just flights to Manila, but direct flights to other destinations, including Cebu and Clark. Initially, though, we are very optimistic that through the negotiations with the DOT, Civil Aviation Board, and CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines), direct flights within the year look very possible. That’s what we are hoping for, especially since electronic visas have been launched by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs),” Frasco told reporters in an ambush interview.

The Philippines previously launched the e-Visa system for Indian nationals and is also working on an action plan specific to India-Philippine tourism relations.

However, Frasco did not elaborate on when the direct flights will commence: “But with the words of the Department of Transportation emanating to me, there is a big possibility that direct flights from India to Manila will happen this year.”

In 2024, the Philippines welcomed nearly 80,000 Indian visitors, marking an over 12 percent growth compared to the previous year, according to the DoT's records.

“We see tremendous potential in India's outbound tourism market, and we are committed to making the Philippines a top destination for Indian tourists,” Frasco said in an earlier statement.

Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, during his speech at the event, mentioned that 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.”

He said India’s flag carriers, Air India and IndiGo, are being eyed to operate the non-stop flights.