PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) wants to resume flights to India after shelving the service in 2019 due to border tensions with Pakistan.
In a petition filed with the Civil Aeronautics Board, the flag carrier requested the allocation of additional flight entitlements to India under the Philippines-India Air Services Agreement (ASA).
Under the ASA, 28 weekly flights are allowed between major cities such as Manila and New Delhi, along with unlimited flight frequencies to all other smaller airports in both countries.
PAL previously operated a Manila-Delhi route from 2011 to 2013, although most flights required costly stopovers in Bangkok because of the limited range of the Airbus A320 aircraft in use at the time.
India ranked as the 11th largest international source market for foreign visitors to the Philippines in 2025, drawing 104,994 arrivals. This growth was heavily supported by the Philippines’ introduction of visa-free entry for eligible Indian tourists, which began on June 8, 2025.
PAL earlier said it would increase frequencies on three of its Japan routes to meet growing travel demand during the winter season starting in late October. Specifically, flights between Manila and Tokyo Narita, as well as Manila and Osaka Kansai, will expand from 14 to 21 weekly flights effective Oct. 25, 2026, through March 27, 2027.
Additionally, the Manila-to-Sapporo Chitose route will increase from three to five weekly flights from Nov. 24, 2026, to Feb. 27, 2027.
Beginning in late 2026, PAL will also boost its North American operations. The airline will increase Manila–Vancouver services from 7 to 10 weekly flights effective Nov. 17, and ramp up Manila–Toronto services from 3 to 4 weekly flights starting Dec. 5.
Additionally, Manila–New York (JFK) services will expand from 3 to 4 weekly flights effective Dec. 2, with a fifth weekly frequency added during the peak December 2026–January 2027 holiday travel season.
