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Philippine Airlines is preparing to put another useful pin on the map for Australian travellers, with new Manila-Delhi and Manila-Mumbai services planned from December 2026, subject to Indian Government approval.

For Australians heading to India, the move adds a one-stop option through Manila from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Delhi is scheduled to receive three PAL flights a week, while Mumbai, a first for the Philippine flag carrier, is slated for four weekly services. That gives leisure travellers, visiting friends-and-relatives passengers, and corporate flyers something the market rarely complains about: more choice.

PAL’s official announcement confirms the proposed Delhi and Mumbai routes will begin in December, with the carrier positioning Manila as a connecting hub between India, the Philippines and markets further afield. The airline also identifies onward connectivity across its broader international network, including North America.

The Australian angle is particularly significant. PAL already links Manila with Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and its current network listings show all four cities in the carrier’s Australian footprint. Melbourne is also moving to daily Manila services from November 2026, strengthening the hub connection just ahead of the planned India launch.

PAL Country Manager for ANZ & PNG Krystle Ramirez-Gastrock said the new services would support a broad mix of travel demand.

“For many Australians, travel to India is about reconnecting with family and friends, exploring their heritage, pursuing business opportunities, or experiencing the country’s vibrant culture and diverse tourism attractions,” she said.

“We look forward to serving these journeys with PAL’s full-service experience and Filipino hospitality, while building stronger ties among Australia, the Philippines and India.” The quotation has been independently published in Australian coverage of the announcement.

Delhi gets three weekly services

Under the proposed timetable, PR642 will leave Manila for Delhi at 10.40 pm each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, arriving at 3.00 am the following day. Return service PR643 is scheduled to depart Delhi at 8.15 am on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, landing in Manila at 5.00 pm.

Mumbai gets the slightly busier roster. PR646 is scheduled to depart Manila at 10.40 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, arriving at 3.05 am the next day. PR647 is scheduled to leave Mumbai at 7.15 am on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in Manila at 5.00 pm. All times are local.

PAL says both Indian routes will use a 168-seat Airbus A321neo, configured with 12 Business Class seats and 156 Economy Class seats.

For passengers making a long one-stop journey, PAL is pitching the product as a full-service alternative rather than a bare-bones connection, an increasingly important distinction in a market where the cheapest fare can occasionally acquire more extras than a Christmas ham.

The airline says passengers will receive its full-service offering, including meals, inflight entertainment and the Filipino hospitality on which PAL has built much of its international identity.

Cargo adds another commercial dimension

The proposed services also have a freight component. PAL expects the new links to support cargo movement between India, the Philippines and other markets connected through Manila, giving the routes commercial relevance beyond passenger traffic alone.

That could be particularly useful for time-sensitive and higher-value freight moving between three sizeable Asia-Pacific economies, while also giving PAL more opportunity to feed cargo into its wider international network.

Visa planning remains straightforward but check first

Visa arrangements should also be relatively straightforward for many travellers, although passengers should always check official requirements before booking.

Australian passport holders can currently apply for India’s e-Visa, including e-Tourist and e-Business categories, through the Indian Government’s official portal. Indian passport holders travelling to Australia require an appropriate Australian visa before departure; Australia’s Department of Home Affairs lists the Visitor visa (subclass 600) as an available visitor pathway.

For travel advisers, the commercial opportunity is obvious. India remains an important visiting-friends-and-relatives, corporate and leisure market, while Manila gives PAL an established connecting hub from Australia.

A new Delhi option is useful. Adding Mumbai broadens the proposition considerably and gives advisers another itinerary to price, compare, and package, particularly for clients who value full-service travel, checked baggage, meals, and through-ticketed connections.

It also gives PAL another reason for Australian passengers to consider Manila not simply as the gateway to the Philippines, but as a genuine Asian transit hub.

Approval remains the crucial footnote

However, there is one important qualification.

These flights are not yet an unconditional fait accompli. Philippine Airlines states clearly that the Delhi and Mumbai services remain subject to Indian Government approval. Until that approval is secured, advisers and passengers should reconfirm schedules and booking conditions before committing to associated arrangements.

Bookings and schedule checks are available through the Philippine Airlines official website, PAL mobile app, ticket offices, hotline and accredited travel agents.

For Australians, the attraction is refreshingly simple: another practical bridge into India, with Manila doing exactly what a good hub should do, getting passengers where they want to go without turning the journey into an endurance sport.

For official airline information and bookings, contact your preferred travel advisor or visit the Philippine Airlines website.