To support the efforts to decongest Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Philippine government along with the operator of the airport – the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) – is moving turboprop aircraft operations away from NAIA.
To support the efforts to decongest Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Philippine government along with the operator of the airport – the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) – is implementing the move of commercial flights using turboprop aircraft away from NAIA. From NAIA, these flights are currently being shifted to Clark – located north of Manila – and the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA). First announced earlier this year, the deadline for the full shift of turboprop operations away from NAIA has since been pushed back to March 2026.
The Mandate
The initiative to shift regularly scheduled flights using turboprop aircraft away from the NAIA is being led by a multi-organization group named the Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC). With a goal to free up flight slots currently used by turboprops for larger jet aircraft, the original deadline was set for October. The deadline has since been extended until March 2026. Around 30% of the turboprop aircraft operations that were at NAIA has since been shifted away.
When completed, the shift of turboprop aircraft away from NAIA will allow for the airport to increase the hourly aircraft movements to nearly 48 – up from the current 30-40. After serving nearly 50 million passengers in 2024, the move is expected to boost the annual passenger capacity of the airport to over 60 million.
While the the Airbus A320/A321 family aircraft is main workhorse of the major airlines in the Philippines, several airlines within the country including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Sunlight Air, AirSWIFT, and Island Aviation operate turboprop aircraft. Philippine Airlines' subsidiary PALexpress – which operates domestic flights – uses De Havilland Dash-8 aircraft. Cebu Pacific's subsidiary Cebgo, Sunlight Air, and AirSWIFT use ATR-72 turboprops in a similar way. Unlike Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, both AirSWIFT and Sunlight Air operate exclusively turboprop aircraft so the mandate would require a shift of all their operations away from NAIA.
Each of these airlines uses the smaller turboprop on domestic routes especially to airports that can't accommodate the larger A320s. These destinations include popular attractions such as El Nido, Siargao, and Busuanga (Coron). The aircraft also play a significant role on domestic flight operations to/from Cebu by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.
The Shift
Prior to the mandate to move of turboprop operations away from NAIA was issued, movements of the smaller aircraft within the airport were already taking place. NAIA Terminal 4 – the former main domestic terminal - was the base for turboprop aircraft operations of CebGo, Sunlight Air, and AirSWIFT. The terminal was closed during the fall 2024 with the intention for the building to be renovated. Instead, the plan was changed and the building was torn down. Flights using turboprop aircraft at Manila's main airport were moved to NAIA Terminal 2.
Amid the daily aircraft movements that take place at NAIA, the Philippines' two biggest airlines have been leading the shift of their turboprop operations away from NAIA. Since the end of March,Cebu Pacific launched new routes from Clark to El Nido and Busuanga (Coron), and shifted its flights departing from Manila to both Masbate and Siargao to Clark.
Separately,Philippine Airlines added several routes and adjusted its services from Clark and Cebu. The Philippine flag carrier launched flights on the Cebu-Catarman route, while boosting flights from Clark and Cebu to destinations such as Siargao and Basco – located on the northern Philippine island of Batanes.
More moves were announced in August. Philippine Airlines stated it will replace its Manila-Basco route with its services from Clark from October 26. At the same time, Philippine Airlines also stated it would increase flights from Clark and Cebu to Busuanga, along with its flights between Cebu and Siargao. Another route from Manila that would be replaced by a route from Cebu is to Calbayog in the central Philippine island of Samar.
While adding more flights between Clark and Siargao, Philippine Airlines stated it would maintain its Manila-Siargao flights to ensure connectivity from the Philippine capital city and for transit travelers at NAIA.
Cebu Pacific will also launch a new route in the fall/winter season between Cebu and El Nido, as it shifts flights departing from Manila to both Naga and San Jose (Mindoro) this winter to Clark.
There has been no public announcements by the two smaller carriers AIRSWIFT – subsidiary of Cebu Pacific - and Sunlight Air. AirSWIFT has been reported to be staying at NAIA until the March 2026 deadline. We can expect more announcements in the coming months from all the airlines leading up to the deadline.
What it Means for Philippine Aviation and Travelers
From Manila and the other hubs of Cebu and Clark, the Philippine-based carriers use the turboprop aircraft such as the Dash-8 and ATR-72s on domestic routes – especially to airports that can't accommodate larger jets. As these operations are shifted away from NAIA, it will result in less direct flights from the main air hub of the Philippines to destinations such as El Nido, Siargao, Basco, and Busuanga. Until March 2026, some direct flights – such as between Manila and Siargao – will remain though it with the limited flights fares could rise. This could mean even higher fares for those who are booking late.
While Manila will see a reduction of turboprop aircraft in favor for the operation of larger jets, it would expand connecting options at Clark and Cebu – which while seeing growth in passenger traffic the two airports are playing catch up when it comes to its overall domestic and international networks compared to NAIA.
Clark would become more of the alternate airport for those flying to/from Manila, though the ground transport options to Clark could be enhanced. Often a 1-2 hour bus or car ride covering around 80km, travelers must take a bus or travel by car between Clark and Metro Manila. Airlines could look into expanding booking options to include bus transport between Clark and Manila similar to what Emirates offers for customers departing from Clark.
Cebu will also benefit from the additional flight options, enhancing its own status as a connecting hub in the central Philippines. With more flights to/from Siargao than Manila and Clark, Cebu is the best gateway for travelers heading to the popular island destination. Travelers from Manila and Clark could look into connecting via Cebu to find lower fare travel options to get to places such as Siargao.
The ideal situation is where airlines add/reduce flights based on market demand. Amid the ongoing issues of congestion at NAIA, flight slots are becoming scarce and airport authorities are prioritizing them for larger jets and international flights. This could change when the New Manila International Airport opens. While waiting for a new Manila-area airport to be built and opened, Clark is the closest alternative with facilities to handle multiple flights at a time. This transfer of flights is also an opportunity for the Mactan Cebu Airport to boost its own role as the central air hub of the Philippines.
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