Philippine Airlines is seeking to resume flights to India, filing for additional traffic rights under the Philippines–India Air Services Agreement after plans were shelved in 2019 due to India–Pakistan airspace tensions.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is seeking to restore scheduled passenger services to India after shelving plans for the route in 2019, as the flag carrier pushes ahead with an ambitious international expansion that includes new routes, increased frequencies, and a major wide-body fleet renewal.
According to a petition filed with the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), PAL has requested the allocation of additional flight entitlements to India under the Philippines–India Air Services Agreement (ASA), signaling renewed interest in serving one of Asia's fastest-growing aviation markets.
Under the bilateral agreement, airlines from both countries are permitted to operate up to 28 weekly flights between major gateways such as Manila and New Delhi, while enjoying unlimited frequencies to secondary airports in the Philippines and India.
PAL is no stranger to the Indian market. The airline previously operated flights between Manila and Delhi from 2011 to 2013. However, most services required a technical stop in Bangkok because the Airbus A320 aircraft used on the route lacked the range to operate nonstop.
Plans to return to India were revived in 2019 but were ultimately put on hold due to airspace complications arising from heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, which affected flight routing and operational viability.
The renewed application comes as travel demand between the two countries continues to strengthen. India emerged as the 11th-largest international source market for visitors to the Philippines in 2025, contributing 104,994 arrivals. Tourism received a further boost after the Philippines introduced visa-free entry for eligible Indian tourists on June 8, 2025, making travel to the Southeast Asian nation more accessible.
Industry observers believe improved bilateral connectivity could further stimulate tourism, business travel, and trade between the two countries.
The move to re-enter India forms part of PAL's broader strategy to strengthen its international network.
For the Northern Hemisphere winter schedule beginning in late October, the airline will significantly expand capacity on key Japanese routes. Flights between Manila and Tokyo Narita, as well as Manila and Osaka Kansai, will increase from 14 to 21 weekly services between October 25, 2026, and March 27, 2027, responding to sustained demand for travel between the Philippines and Japan.
PAL is also strengthening its presence in North America. Beginning November 17, the airline will increase Manila–Vancouver services from seven to ten weekly flights. Manila–Toronto frequencies will rise from three to four weekly flights starting December 5, while Manila–New York (JFK) will increase from three to four weekly flights effective December 2, with a fifth weekly service added during the peak December 2026–January 2027 holiday travel season.
Supporting the airline's international growth plans is a significant fleet renewal programme at this moment.
According to industry sources, Philippine Airlines is expected to announce an order for 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and nine Airbus A350-1000 aircraft during this month's Farnborough International Airshow. If confirmed, the deal would represent PAL's first Boeing aircraft purchase in nearly two decades.
The Boeing order would also trigger a competition between Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace to supply engines for the new Dreamliners, while the additional Airbus A350-1000s would further strengthen PAL's long-haul capabilities.
The airline currently operates a mixed wide-body fleet comprising primarily previous-generation Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s, alongside a small fleet of Airbus A350s. The planned acquisitions are expected to improve fuel efficiency, increase operational flexibility, and support the airline's long-term network expansion.
With stronger demand across Asia and North America, expanding access to India, and a next-generation fleet on the horizon, Philippine Airlines appears to be positioning itself for a new phase of international growth as it seeks to reinforce its role as the Philippines' flag carrier.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has received an invitation to join the oneworld® Alliance, marking a major milestone in its international growth strategy. The announcement was made during the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Once its membership process is completed, PAL will become the 16th airline in the oneworld Alliance and only the second full member based in Southeast Asia. Membership will provide PAL passengers with access to a global network of nearly 1,000 destinations across more than 170 countries and territories, while strengthening the airline's international connectivity and reinforcing the Philippines' position as an emerging aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
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