NAIA to transfer island-bound flights to Clark, other airports

MANILA, Philippines—The government will begin transferring turboprop flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque to Clark International Airport or other secondary airports for popular island destinations like Coron and Siargao on March 30. 

The said move, led by the Manila Slot Coordination Committee, which is composed of the Department of Transportation, Manila International Airport Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Civil Aeronautics Board, and the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation, aims to improve efficiency and maximize operations at the country’s busiest gateway. 

The shift will be implemented in stages, with airlines such as Cebu Pacific's Cebgo and Philippine Airlines' PAL Express needing to transfer 30% of their turboprop operations by March 2025. By October 2025, all of these flights must be relocated. Smaller carriers with five or fewer turboprop aircraft, such as Sunlight Airways and AirSwift, have been granted an extension until 2026 to complete compliance.

While the adjustment is projected to increase NAIA capacity and enable Clark Airport to reach its full potential, it may provide issues for domestic travelers, particularly during the summer peak season. Passengers flying to island destinations may need to change their plans and travel two hours to Clark Airport. Despite this, aviation experts believe the transition will result in more efficient operations at NAIA, with jets taking up slots previously occupied by turboprops.

The transition is expected to affect millions of travelers, with Terminal 4 alone handling roughly 3 million by 2023. However, as Clark Airport prepares to handle increased traffic, the government expects that this decision will pave the way for improved airport administration and a stronger domestic tourism network.