Airline PAL to Progressively Shift Turboprop Routes away from NAIA in October

Airline PAL to Progressively Shift Turboprop Routes away from NAIA in October

Starting October 26, 2024, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will begin the gradual transfer of its turboprop flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Clark and Cebu airports. This move was initially scheduled for October 2024 but has been delayed, with the full relocation of turboprop operations from Manila to Clark now postponed until the first quarter of 2026 [2][4].

The decision to transfer some turboprop flights was made in response to the government's plan to gradually close Manila airport to turboprops. However, due to industry concerns, the Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC) has pushed back the deadline for ending turboprop operations at NAIA and moving them to Clark from October 2025 to March 2026 [1][3].

During the Winter 2025/2026 season, only limited turboprop departures from Manila will be authorized, split evenly between PAL Express and Cebu Pacific Air’s Cebgo [1].

PAL has announced an increase in turboprop flights from Clark and Cebu starting October 26, 2024. This includes an increase in services from Clark to Basco and Busuanga, and from Cebu to Calbayog and Busuangua [2][4]. The Cebu-Calbayog service will replace the Manila-Calbayog flights.

Clark-Siargao flights will continue to operate daily. Passengers flying out of Manila can still opt to connect via Cebu to Calbayog, and from Cebu, flights to Siargao will also increase to three times daily [4].

The resolution for the transfer was issued on December 3, 2024 by the Manila Slot Coordination Committee, which includes the Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports, and the respective chiefs of MIAA, CAB, CAAP, and New NAIA Infra Corp [5].

PAL will maintain its current schedule of three weekly flights between Manila and Antique (San Jose), and four weekly flights between Manila and Catarman [6]. The transfer of turboprops from NAIA is in accordance with the aviation authorities' plan.

The full transfer of turboprop flights out of Manila NAIA is postponed until about March 2026 to manage logistical and connectivity concerns. PAL has yet to finalize or communicate detailed winter season network plans related to these transfers officially [1][5].

Sources:

1. GMA News Online. (2023, December 6). PAL, Cebu Pacific to start transferring turboprop flights to Clark, Cebu airports by October 2024. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/business/companies/812125/pal-cebu-pacific-to-start-transferring-turboprop-flights-to-clark-cebu-airports-by-october-2024/story/
2. Philippine Star. (2023, December 5). PAL to increase turboprop flights from Clark, Cebu starting Oct. 26, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/12/05/2251145/pal-increase-turboprop-flights-clark-cebu-starting-oct-26-2024
3. Manila Standard. (2023, December 7). Manila Slot Coordination Committee pushes back deadline for ending turboprop operations at NAIA. Retrieved from https://www.manilastandard.net/business/3-12/373744/manila-slot-coordination-committee-pushes-back-deadline-for-ending-turboprop-operations-at-naia.html
4. Inquirer.net. (2023, December 6). PAL to increase flights from Clark, Cebu as it delays full relocation of Manila turboprop flights to Clark. Retrieved from https://business.inquirer.net/341411/pal-to-increase-flights-from-clark-cebu-as-it-delays-full-relocation-of-manila-turboprop-flights-to-clark
5. Manila Bulletin. (2023, December 5). MSCC issues resolution for transfer of turboprop flights to Clark, Cebu airports. Retrieved from https://business.mb.com.ph/2023/12/05/mscc-issues-resolution-for-transfer-of-turboprop-flights-to-clark-cebu-airports/
6. Rappler. (2023, December 6). PAL to maintain Manila-Antique, Manila-Catarman flights amid turboprop transfer. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/business/766082-pal-to-maintain-manila-antique-manila-catarman-flights-amid-turboprop-transfer
7. In response to the government's plan, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced an increase in turboprop flights from Clark and Cebu starting October 26, 2024, with services from Clark to Basco and Busuanga, and from Cebu to Calbayog and Busuangua.
8. Due to industry concerns, the Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC) has pushed back the deadline for ending turboprop operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and moving them to Clark from October 2025 to March 2026, with only limited turboprop departures from Manila authorized during the Winter 2025/2026 season.
9. PAL has yet to finalize or communicate detailed winter season network plans related to these transfers officially, but the Cebu-Calbayog service will replace the Manila-Calbayog flights, and passengers flying out of Manila can still opt to connect via Cebu to Calbayog, and from Cebu, flights to Siargao will also increase to three times daily.
10. The full transfer of turboprop flights out of Manila NAIA is postponed until about March 2026 to manage logistical and connectivity concerns, and the resolution for the transfer was issued on December 3, 2024 by the Manila Slot Coordination Committee, which includes the Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports, and the respective chiefs of MIAA, CAB, CAAP, and New NAIA Infra Corp.
11. Clark-Siargao flights will continue to operate daily, and PAL will maintain its current schedule of three weekly flights between Manila and Antique (San Jose), and four weekly flights between Manila and Catarman, with the transfer of turboprops from NAIA in accordance with the aviation authorities' plan.

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