Transfer of turboprops to Clark on schedule
The initial transfer of turboprop operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) to Clark International Airport is all set to happen on Mar. 30 as the country’s primary gateway makes more slots available for bigger jets.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), in a message to the Inquirer, said the transfer would push through as scheduled.
Cebu Pacific will move its Manila-Masbate and Manila-Siargao flights to Clark airport by Mar. 30. Affected passengers can rebook their flights for free, avail of full refund or convert their booking to a travel fund.
The turboprop operations are being phased out of Naia to decongest the airport and allocate slots to bigger aircraft as a way to increase passenger capacity.
The Pampanga gateway has an 8-million annual passenger capacity that it has yet to fully utilize, making it an ideal alternative hub for turboprops.
Increasing the passenger capacity at Naia is in line with the mandate of San Miguel Corp.-led New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) when it took over the operations and maintenance of the Manila airport last year. Apart from this, NNIC is also implementing terminal reassignments at Naia to improve the efficiency of runway use, which can help in facilitating more flights as well.
Noel Manankil, CEO of Clark airport operator Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD), said they were ready to service the influx of passengers following the shift in flights.
“Added facilities such as additional boarding gates have been opened to ensure these flights are on time and the passengers’ journey enjoyable,” he told the Inquirer.
Manankil earlier said they were expecting Philippine Airlines to transfer their turboprop operations by October.
According to the Manila Slot Coordination Committee—comprising the Department of Transportation and NNIC—the airlines have until March next year to transfer their turboprops to secondary airports.
This year, LIPAD expects to fly around 3.3 million to 3.4 million passengers given the anticipated increase in flight activities with the transfer of turboprop operations from Naia.
This shows a potential growth of as much as 42 percent after servicing 2.4 million passengers in the past year.
As turboprops are set to leave Naia, MIAA General Manager Eric Ines recently told the media “a lot” of carriers were eyeing to set up operations at the primary gateway.
