Philippine Airlines Calls for Unified Airport Master Plan

A senior executive at Philippine Airlines has urged the government to create a single, coordinated national airport master plan to help the country catch up with its regional neighbors in passenger and cargo traffic.

Speaking at the 2025 Philippine Aviation Summit, Carlos Luis Fernandez, executive vice president and COO of Philippine Airlines, said the plan should streamline operations at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) through short-term efficiency measures while defining long-term roles for Clark International and the upcoming Bulacan airport. This would ensure that airports complement rather than compete with one another.

Fernandez also called for standardized upgrades at secondary airports, including runway extensions, night-rating, and improved navigation aids. He emphasized that “every additional slot, runway, and hub developed is more than infrastructure—it’s opportunity.”

Despite having nine international airports, the Philippines lags behind regional peers, handling only 60 million passengers last year, compared to Indonesia’s 156 million and Thailand’s 119 million. Fernandez noted that the country’s air cargo volume is less than 700,000 tonnes annually—far below Hong Kong International’s 5 million tonnes.

According to ch-aviation data, Manila accounts for more than 80% of international seat capacity among Philippine airports, followed by Cebu and Clark. However, persistent congestion and limited capacity continue to hinder growth. Fernandez concluded that a national airport master plan would transform aviation into a key driver of the country’s economy and global competitiveness.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com