India Relaxes Visa Rules as PAL Prepares to Fly to Delhi

[HD video below] The Indian government has relaxed visa rules to attract more Filipino visitors as Philippine Airlines (PAL) launches a long-awaited service between Manila and New Delhi on 27 March 2011.

Citizens of three other ASEAN countries, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, will also enjoy the same relaxed visa rules.

“I am happy to announce that we will extend our visa-on-arrival facility to nationals of … the Philippines … with effect from January 1, 2011,” said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a recent speech before the 8th India-ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. “We invite many more tourists from the ASEAN countries to visit India to see the splendor of its rich cultural heritage.”

PAL’s new service to New Delhi will operate six times weekly, with three non-stop flights between the two capitals and three flights routed via Bangkok.

The direct service (PR758) departs Manila every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 21:10. Arrival at the new Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport is at 01:10 the following day.

The return flight, PR 759, departs Delhi on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 03:00 and arrives in Manila at 12:00 noon.

The one-stop service via Bangkok (PR752) meanwhile, departs Manila every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 18:45. Arrival in the Thai capital is at 21:05 the same day and in Delhi at 01:10 the following day.

The return flight, PR753, departs Delhi on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 02:45, reaching Bangkok at 08:25 and Manila at 13:50 the same day.

Modern, wide-body Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which seat 42 in Mabuhay Class (business) and 260 in Fiesta Class (economy), will be deployed on both routes.

The Delhi inaugural will give PAL a presence in South Asia for the first time since 1994 – a fitting milestone for the Philippine flag carrier, just days after it celebrates its 70th founding anniversary on 15 March 2011, as Asia’s first airline.

The addition of Delhi expands the PAL international network to 26 points in 15 countries and territories. The airline also flies to 20 points within the Philippines.

At the ASEAN Tourism Forum last week in Phnom Penh, TravelNewsAsia.com spoke to Mr. Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., the Assistant Secretary, International Tourism Promotions, Department of Tourism - Philippines, about the general tourism situation in the country. Watch the HD video below:

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