The government will begin relocating turboprop flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque to secondary airports starting March 30, 2025, aligning with the summer travel season. The initiative aims to optimize NAIA’s operations, according to a Phil Star Global report, citing the Manila Slot Coordination Committee, a coalition of aviation and transportation authorities.
The transition will affect island destinations such as Coron and Siargao, primarily served by Cebu Pacific’s Cebgo and Philippine Airlines’ PAL Express. These flights will be redirected to airports like Clark to reduce congestion at NAIA. Turboprops are typically used for smaller destinations due to their ability to operate on shorter runways.
Under the committee’s resolution, carriers are required to move 30% of their turboprop operations out of NAIA by March 30, 2025. By October 26, 2025, all turboprop flights must be fully relocated. Exemptions include private planes and carriers with fewer than six turboprop aircraft, such as Sunlight Airways and AirSwift, which have until March 2026 to comply.
The plan, initially proposed during the Duterte administration, aims to address the growing demand for NAIA slots while boosting Clark Airport’s utilization. However, industry observers warn it may disrupt domestic tourism, especially during peak seasons, as passengers adapt to the changes. Despite potential challenges, the move could benefit both Clark Airport and NAIA by enhancing operational capacity and creating opportunities for jet operations.
Nearly three million passengers who use Terminal 4 annually could be impacted, with pre-pandemic figures reaching up to 5.74 million. For carriers like PAL and Cebu Pacific, which collectively operate dozens of turboprop aircraft, the shift is expected to prompt operational adjustments.
