Philippines

Clark International Airport is targeting to surpass 3 million passengers in 2025 following the transfer of turboprop flights and ongoing talks with new airline partners. Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD) targets to accommodate 25 million passengers annually as part of its long-term expansion. LIPAD CEO said in the short term, they want to exceed the airport’s pre-pandemic levels of passenger traffic with 4 million and fully utilise the 8 million capacity of the airport’s shell design. LIPAD plans to attract more domestic and international routes supported by infrastructure projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway, which is expected to be operational by 2027-2028. Clark International Airport recorded 2.4 million passengers in 2024, +20% YoY. The weekly flight movements at Clark are expected to increase to 269 from 237 flights

Cotabato Airport, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, is rehabilitating the Islamic prayer room and improving comfort rooms in the airport. This initiative is part of the efforts by the Bangsamoro Airport Authority (BAA), the Ministry of Transportation and Communications-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and BARMM’s Chief Minister

Emirates introduced a complimentary coach service for economy class passengers travelling to and from Clark International Airport (CRK) from 10 Jun. The service will connect Trinoma, Quezon City with Clark Airport. The passengers must confirm coach booking at least 48 hours in advance

Brand Finance said Cebu Pacific is the 6th strongest Philippine brand in the Philippines with a 89.1 Brand Strength Index Score. Cebu Pacific’s brand value increased by 86% to $386 million USD in 2025

Jetstar Airways plans to launch flights to Manila and Cebu, from Perth and Brisbane, respectively. The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) will hear a petition filed by the airlines on 26 Jun to launch the service. Jetstar will operate 3 flights per week using 232-seater A321neos if they receive approvals. The airline hopes to start the flight by 27 Nov in time for peak travel for the Christmas season

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) is looking to sign a codeshare agreement with South Korea to fly to the US via the country. This agreement will support the existing direct flights of United Airlines, operating the Manila-San Francisco route. Philippine Airlines offers direct services to Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu and Guam

Surigao del Norte 1st District Representative-elect will prioritise efforts to protect the welfare of tourists visiting Siargao Island. He will work closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to improve Sayak Airport in Del Carmen town in Siargao. He proposed to construct a modular-type passenger terminal to increase the passenger capacity to around 500-700 passengers. The airport currently handles 18-19 flights per day. The data from the Department of Tourism-Caraga Region shows that Siargao recorded 112,510 tourist arrivals from Jan-Mar 2025, +9.8% YoY, including 77,202 domestic and 35,308 international tourists

AirAsia MOVE during the Civil Aeronautics Board inquiry on 5 Jun clarified again that its pricing structure is automated, that there is no manual manipulation of fares on the platform, and that fares are sourced from third-party aggregators, not set by OTAs. MOVE confirmed that there were no bookings made for that high fare, and that they are asking their supplier for an explanation. They called on the government to “strike a balance between monitoring and regulating OTAs to ensure equal protection while encouraging economic activity and driving tourism. OTAs, like MOVE, are here to democratize travel by providing a wide range of options that suits every traveler’s budget requirements and travel aspirations”

Ninoy Aquino International Airport will introduce facial recognition technology to efficiently process passengers

Travel and tourism stakeholders expressed concern over the Transportation Secretary’s remarks advising the public to purchase tickets directly from airlines. They acknowledged the government’s intention to protect consumers, but that this statement could risk undermining the role of legitimate accredited travel agencies. The statement was issued by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS), and Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association (PIATA)

The Civil Aeronautics Board will hold the first hearing on 5 Jun to investigate AirAsia MOVE for allegedly selling one-way flight tickets at unreasonably high cost

Air India announced that they will operate Delhi-Manila flights from Oct connecting India and the Philippines, with 5 flights per week, the first time the two capitals are connected since 2013. Air India is looking to attract transfer flight between Europe and the Philippines with one-stop connectivity via Delhi

The construction of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 5 is expected to be completed in 30 months, according to the consortium’s chairman. He said both terminal 2 and 5 can handle up to 35 million passengers annually

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary has ordered the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to shut down and file criminal charges against AirAsia Move for allegedly selling tickets of local airlines at a higher price following the transport crisis in Eastern Visayas. The San Juanico Bridge was partially closed to heavy vehicles, buses, and trucks, which affected the movement of goods and people. The Secretary said AirAsia Move took advantage of the situation. He ordered the CAB to investigate other booking platforms charging excessive fares in other destinations, including Tacloban. CAB issued the CDO against AirAsia Move for selling airline tickets for local carriers at a higher price, exceeding CAB’s approved fare structure. AirAsia MOVE stated that it will cooperate with the Philippine government to uphold transparent and fair pricing and consumer protection. MOVE CEO clarified that they do not manually set or manipulate the airfares. AirAsia Move blamed temporary data synchronisation issues with flight pricing partners for the discrepancies. She added other platforms such as Agoda, Kiwi.com, and Traveloka, which were also affected by the issue besides MOVE. AirAsia Philippines did not have any issues despite being affiliated with the AirAsia Group

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are working on the two key infrastructure projects under the Iloilo International Airport Development Program. 190 million PHP funding was allocated under the DOTr General Appropriations Act (GAA). The project will upgrade the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB). The airport’s PTB can accommodate 367 domestic and 360 international passengers, and once the upgrades are completed, the capacity will be increased to 675 domestic and 407 international passengers

Foreign airlines will file petitions to collect terminal enhancement fees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director said the international airlines, through the Airline Operators Council and the Board of Airline Representatives, are monitoring the outcome of local airline petitions and will follow suit based on the outcome. The local airlines submitted a review in 2024 to include a 150 PHP fee for domestic flights and a 300 PHP fee for international flights. The proposal is still being reviewed by CAB pending the final submission of documents. CAB Executive Director the the issue is “complex” and will require “extensive review”

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will begin to receive its new A350-1000 aircraft from H2 2025. PAL will deploy more aircraft for long-haul services from Manila to the US and Canada. PAL is expected to receive 13 units of A321neo from 2026. PAL operated 79 operational aircraft, below its 91 operational aircraft in pre-pandemic

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said domestic passenger traffic reached 8.51 million, +14% YoY in Q1 2025: Cebu Pacific recorded 4.7 million domestic passengers, or 55% of total passengers Philippine Airlines, 2.42 million (28%) AirAsia Philippines, 1.18 million (14%) AirSWIFT Transport, 142,381 Sunlight Air, 51,077 Royal Air Charter Service, 14,586 Island Aviation Corp, 3,582 CAB said international passenger volume recorded at 7.47 million, +7% in Q1 2025. Cebu Pacific carried 1.66 million international passengers compared to 1.63 million passengers carried by Philippine Airlines. Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recorded 13.03 million passengers in Q1 2025, +6% YoY

Cebu Pacific announced it will wet lease 2 Airbus A320 jets to flyadeal, a Saudi budget airline, to generate income from its extra capacity during the low season in the Philippines. flyadeal noted that Southeast Asia is a “key destination" for its new A330s on order, looking at the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia

AirAsia Philippines announced that its President and General Manager, Ricky Isla, will step down after 6 years. The airline named Suresh Bangah as the new President. AirAsia Philippines plans to expand its operational fleet to 19 aircraft to meet the travel demand and maintain a 90% load factor

Philippine Airlines (PAL) expanded its flights to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, for the opening of Palarong Pambansa 2025. The airline will add 74 flights to carry 6,800 passengers, including athletes, coaches, and officials. PAL will offer special and chartered flights from Cebu, Davao, and Legazpi (Daraga) to Laoag

Cebu Pacific completed the Philippines’ first all-electric aircraft turnaround at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA). The initiative was carried out in partnership with Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) and TLD Asia, a global provider of electric ground support equipment (GSE). This operation used only electric GSE, including baggage tractors, lower deck loaders, pushback tractors, and bridge-mounted ground power units

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) lowered the fuel surcharge on passenger airlines from Level 4 to Level 3 for Jun. Passengers will pay an additional 83 PHP to 300 PHP for domestic flights and 273.36 PHP to 2,032.54 PHP for international flights under Level 3. Under Level 4, the rates were 117 PHP to 342 PHP for domestic flights and 385.70 PHP to 2,867.82 PHP for international flights

AirAsia Philippines recorded 3 million guests in 1H 2025, and recorded an 85% Load Factor. Puerto Princesa was the top domestic destination, and Taipei was the preferred international destination. The airline said 80% of the load factor comprises domestic travellers. AirAsia upgraded flight frequencies to Kota Kinabalu into daily services, up from 3 weekly flights. From 1 Jul, flights to Taipei will be increased from 14 to 17 flights weekly. AirAsia launched 400,000 promo seats until 1 Jun for travel period from 5 May-31 Oct

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) said airlines might have to pay more for their aircraft orders due to the tariffs imposed by the US. AAPA said parts of aircraft and engine production require sourcing from several markets around the world. Cebu Pacific is expecting 7 aircraft in 2025 and Philippine Airlines is expecting 13 Airbus 321-231 neo aircraft between 2026-2029. APPA said 1/5th of the deliveries will be delayed due to supply chain issue