Direct Vancouver–Manila flights launched in boost to tourism

Manila: The launch of direct flights between Vancouver, Canada and the Philippine capital is expected to an added boost to Philippine tourism.

The new Vancouver-Manila non-stop route, launched by Air Canada on April 1, reduces travel time significantly to just over 13 hours.

This offers a seamless travel experience for both tourists and Filipino-Canadians visiting their home country.

Dreamliner

The move is also seen enhancing bilateral relations, and the broader economy.

The route, serviced by Boeing 787 Dreamliners, currently operates three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and is expected to increase to four weekly flights starting May, according to a statement from the airline.

Speaking at a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro cited the strategic value of direct international air links.

“It’s always preferable, that when we fly to a distant country, we fly direct,” Castro said in Tagalog, highlighting travellers' preference for nonstop travel over connecting flights.

“We would expect more tourists to land in the Philippines,” she added, referring to the expected uptick in Canadian arrivals due to the convenience and accessibility of the new route.

Tourism

Canada remains a vital tourism source for the Philippines. 

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) data, Canada ranked 6th among foreign markets in 2024, with 269,300 visitors contributing over $304 million to the economy.

“This is a key step in strengthening people-to-people ties and unlocking further economic opportunities between our two countries,” said Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria during the route launch ceremony held at Vancouver International Airport.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has stressed on the importance of improved air connectivity in reviving the country’s tourism sector, saying: “Every new route is a doorway to jobs, investments, and cultural exchange.”

The new service is expected to tap into both leisure and diaspora travel demand, as over 900,000 Filipinos reside in Canada, many of whom maintain strong ties to family in the Philippines.

Key direct routes to Manila

The Vancouver–Manila flight adds to a growing number of major direct international connections to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Among them:

• Paris (CDG)–Manila: Air France resumed direct between Manila and Paris in December after 2024 a 20-year absence.

• Los Angeles (LAX)–Manila: Daily flights by Philippine Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta.

• New York (JFK)–Manila: Operated by Philippine Airlines, with 3–5 weekly frequencies.

• Tokyo (Haneda and Narita)–Manila: Multiple daily flights via ANA, Japan Airlines, and Philippine Airlines.

• Sydney–Manila: Direct flights by Qantas and Philippine Airlines.

• Dubai (DXB)–Manila: Daily services from Emirates and Cebu Pacific.

• London (Heathrow)–Manila: Direct service by Philippine Airlines, four times per week.
  

These nonstop flights, many of which have resumed or expanded post-pandemic, reflect growing global demand for Philippine tourism and serve as key arteries for economic engagement.

Global aviation

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), international travel demand reached 91.2 per cent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of Q1 2025, with Asia-Pacific leading the recovery due to rising outbound tourism and relaxed visa regimes 4.

Airlines are also increasingly focusing on long-haul point-to-point routes instead of traditional hub-and-spoke models, responding to traveler preferences for shorter, more direct travel times.

Low-cost carriers

Low-cost carriers like Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines are likewise exploring new international routes to secondary Philippine airports, including Clark, Cebu, and Davao, further decentralising international tourism.