NAIA to transfer turboprop flights to Clark, secondary airports beginning March

This move will likely affect carriers PAL Express and Cebgo, which largely operate using the aircraft type.

A plan is now underway to remove turboprop services at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the public-private partnership Manila Slot Coordination Committee confirmed this week.

According to the group, composed of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), and the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp (NNIC), this will help “maximize” the airport’s facilities.

At present, these smaller planes, which can handle up about 60 passengers in each flight, connects the capital to island destinations like Busuanga (Coron), Camiguin, and popular surfing hotspot Siargao.

As per the timeline provided, 30% of turboprop operations of carriers like Cebgo, PAL Express, AirSwift, and SunlightAir, will be moved out of NAIA from March 30, 2025.

By October 26, 2025, the affected operators must have completely shifted to secondary airports like Clark International Airport.

Apart from that, limitations for private flights have also been reported to take into effect in the coming months.

As per NNIC, they plan to accommodate more flights per hour to 48, up from the current 40.

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