Manila Airport to Relocate Turboprop Flights to Ease Congestion
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport will begin transferring scheduled turboprop flights to secondary airports, including Angeles City Clark International, starting March 30, 2025. The move, directed by the Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC), aims to alleviate congestion and boost regional airport utilization, with the transition set to be completed by October 26.
The mandate initially targets carriers operating fleets of six or more turboprop aircraft. Major operators like PAL Express and Cebgo must relocate 30% of their affected flights by March 30, with the rest moving by the end of the 2025 northern summer season. Smaller operators, such as Sunlight Air and AirSWIFT, are permitted to remain at Manila until 2026.
PAL Express and Cebgo will shift routes to Clark Airport, located 115 kilometers north of Manila. Cebu Pacific confirmed that flights from Manila to Masbate and Del Carmen will relocate to Clark, while services to Surigao will be discontinued, with connections available via Cebu.
General aviation and private planes are not included in the order but may face future restrictions, pending political consensus. The MSCC’s initiative, affecting approximately two million passengers annually, is expected to increase Ninoy Aquino’s capacity from 50 million to 62 million passengers and raise hourly aircraft movements from 30-40 to 48.
The relocation plan is intended to reduce congestion, improve passenger experience, and promote growth at regional airports, marking a significant shift in the Philippines’ aviation strategy.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com