Air India today marked a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy, celebrating the successful inaugural flight from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL).
Flight AI2361, utilizing a state-of-the-art Airbus A321-251NX(LR) aircraft, was greeted with the traditional historical water sprinkler salute upon its arrival in Manila, symbolizing a new chapter in connectivity between India and the Philippines.
The flight landed smoothly, carrying passengers, crew, and dignitaries eager to forge stronger business, cultural, and tourism ties between the two nations.
The newly introduced non-stop service leverages the advanced capabilities of the Airbus A321-251NX(LR)—a long-range variant that is critical to Air India’s strategy of connecting key international city pairs efficiently.
The specific aircraft, registered as VT-TVH (MSN: 11297), is a testament to Air India’s ongoing fleet modernization efforts. VT-TVH, which was leased from Aviation Capital Group (ALC), is being rapidly integrated into the mainline fleet, reflecting the consolidation and upgrade of Air India’s operational assets.
The new route directly addresses the growing demand for convenient travel options between the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, offering travelers a premium, non-stop experience.
“This new connection reinforces our commitment to expanding our footprint in Southeast Asia, offering our passengers unmatched comfort and convenience on our modernized fleet,” said a spokesperson for Air India.
The launch of the Delhi-Manila service is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. The long-range narrowbody aircraft allows Air India to operate this route efficiently while maintaining world-class standards of service and passenger experience. Air India looks forward to welcoming both business and leisure travelers on this new, vital link.
