12 Jun 2025

#2 June 2025: India Aviation Newsletter

Air India to operate non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila

Air India, announced the launch of non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila, commencing 1st October  2025. With the launch of this new route, Air India becomes the only carrier to operate non-stop flights between India and the Philippines, offering seamless connectivity through its Delhi hub and boosting tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The service will operate five times weekly using three class Airbus A321neo aircraft. The Philippines recently introduced visa-free entry for Indian tourists for up to 14 days, significantly enhancing market accessibility. 

Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Campbell Wilson said, “The introduction of our Delhi-Manila route is a yet another step in our mission to connect India with more of the world, non-stop. As outbound travel from India grows at an unprecedented pace, with Indian tourists ranking among the highest spenders globally, the new entry rules for Indian tourists are a shot in the arm to boost tourism to the Philippines. We are happy to facilitate new opportunities for cultural exchange and economic collaboration between the two nations, while bringing the new Air India to more travellers around the world.”

IndiGo and Garuda Indonesia announce codeshare partnership

IndiGo, signed a bilateral codeshare agreement offering enhanced network to their respective customers. This partnership aims to enable seamless travel for customers between India and Indonesia, through Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta and Bali, on a single booking with through checked-in baggage. As part of this codeshare arrangement, IndiGo customers get access to 17 new destinations across Indonesia, while travellers on Garuda Indonesia can fly to seven destinations in India.

IndiGo Senior Vice President – Network Planning & Revenue Management,  Abhijit DasGupta said “We are delighted to announce this codeshare partnership with Garuda Indonesia, further solidifying our commitment to offering enhanced connectivity and a wide range of options to our customers. This enables our customers to conveniently book their itineraries and seamlessly travel across various parts of Indonesia on the joint network of IndiGo and Garuda Indonesia.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Virtually Inaugurates Satna and Datia Airports in Madhya Pradesh

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the newly constructed Satna Airport and the upgraded Datia Airport in Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in regional connectivity. This landmark event represents a major step forward for the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions, with on-ground celebrations held at both airports. The inaugurations reflect the Government of India’s commitment to expanding air travel access across the nation through the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme.

Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, “With the blessings of Ma Pitambara, the ‘Mini Vrindavan’ of Madhya Pradesh — Datia now has wings of connectivity.” Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav Ji, Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a transformative expansion in aviation connectivity, with world-class airports acting as gateways of economic growth.”

Acumen’s Take

On Air India’s Delhi–Manila Non-stop Launch:

Air India’s launch of non-stop flights to Manila capitalises on favourable visa reforms and strong outbound Indian tourism demand. With no direct competition on the route, the A321neo deployment offers right-sized capacity while enhancing bilateral trade and cultural ties. This move also reinforces Air India’s strategy of leveraging Delhi as a key long-haul hub in Asia.

On IndiGo–Garuda Indonesia Codeshare:

This bilateral codeshare signals IndiGo’s growing ambition to penetrate Southeast Asia through strategic airline partnerships. With access to 17 destinations in Indonesia and seamless interlining via major gateways, IndiGo is expanding its footprint without fleet overextension. The agreement boosts Garuda’s visibility in the Indian market while strengthening both carriers’ competitive edge in trans-ASEAN traffic.

On Satna and Datia Airport Inaugurations:

The dual inauguration under UDAN reflects India’s continued investment in tier-2 and tier-3 aviation infrastructure as engines of regional growth. Satna and Datia’s development supports inclusive connectivity in historically underserved areas, with long-term implications for economic decentralisation and intrastate air mobility. Political alignment and policy continuity remain key enablers in this regional push.
 

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