Philippines

Philippine Airlines extended its flight suspension to Doha until 1 Jul and Dubai until 2 Aug

Philippines Airlines’ regional arm PAL Express will take over the maintenance of its own fleet, following an unconfirmed report that Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) is discontinuing its line maintenance operations. LTP is yet to confirm this change. LTP had been PAL Express’ designated component support provider since Jul 2025 for MRO support for the airline’s Airbus A320 fleet. PAL operated 16 Airbus A320 aircraft for domestic flights as of the end of 2025. LTP is the Philippines’ largest aircraft maintenance provider, and the company recently signed a new lease agreement covering its 226,000-square-meter facility at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on 12 May

Cebu Pacific reported 2.3 million pax in Apr 2026, -0.7% YoY, with seat load factor down to 74.4% from 83.8% in 2025. Domestic seat load factor was down 11.8pp to 73.9% in Apr 2026, whilst international seat load factor was -3.5pp to 75.6%

Cirium reported Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL) are among the most on-time airlines with 84.98% (5th place) and 83.45% (8th place), respectively. The other most on-time airline in the Asia-Pacific was Singapore Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Scoot, and Malaysia Airlines

Philippine Airlines reduced its Manila-Riyadh flights from 11 Jun to 31 Jul, from daily flights to 4 times weekly

Fuel surcharge has been dropped from Level 18 to Level 15 for 16-31 May. The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said under Level 15, the fuel surcharge will be from 491 PHP to 1,436 PHP, while the fuel surcharge for international flights could be between 1,621.42 PHP to 12,056 PHP

The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has allocated funding for a feasibility study on the proposed Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) in Cavite. The funding was awarded to Philippine developer Cavitex Holdings Inc., which approached S-A-P Group LLC from California to conduct the study. The S‑A‑P Group will provide technical expertise on air traffic forecasts, financial analyses, and advanced security screening measures. The airport is expected to ease traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which handled 52 million travellers in 2025

Philippines AirAsia reduced its flights from Cebu to Bangkok from 7 to 4 weekly flights, starting 12 Jun to 30 Sep. And the planned daily flights for this route have been postponed to 1 Oct from 11 Jun. The airline’s Cebu-Hanoi route will begin on 1 Oct, instead of 11 Jun, with 4 weekly flights

Philippine Airlines postponed its Manila-Toronto Pearson route from 24 May to 5 Jun

Emirates restored 96% of its global network, with 75% of its pre-Middle East conflict capacity, or more than 1,300 weekly flights to 137 destinations in 72 countries. Despite the conflict, they managed to carry 4.7 million passengers between 1 Mar and 30 Apr. Emirates has 32 weekly flights to the Philippines, in Manila, Cebu, and Clark, but the airline did not clarify if these routes have resumed at full capacity as well. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, 24 Emirates flights had been cancelled from 28 Feb to 5 Mar, during the height of the conflict, second highest to Philippine Airlines with 29 suspended flights

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that in Mar 2026, passenger volume increased by 2.1% despite the number of flights dropping by 1.7%. This is due to an increase in seat occupancy by 3.1 points to 83.6%. Passenger volume in the Middle East dropped by 58.6% following the Middle East conflict, which started on 28 Feb. Since Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the major hubs in connecting Asia and Europe via the Middle East, the impact was wider. International passenger volumes dropped by 0.6% overall, and outside the Middle East it increased by 8%. Domestic demand increased by 6.5% YoY, and the seat occupancy has increased

Air China launched its Chongqing to Manila flight service with 4 flights per week

Cebu Pacific will operate a chartered flight from Japan to Bohol from 2 May

Air Canada will increase its flight frequency from Vancouver to Manila from 7 Dec, with a 5th weekly flight

AirAsia Philippines is expecting business conditions to improve in H2 2026, as the Middle East conflict continues to put pressure on the aviation industry though high fuel cost and weaker consumer spending. The AirAsia Philippines President stated that they were expecting growth in 2026 before the conflict started. She cited three major pressures, including high jet fuel price, weakening PHP, and softer revenue due to the uncertain travel market. AirAsia Philippines is reviewing its passenger traffic target for 2026, where it previously targeted 7 million passengers. In 2025, AirAsia Philippines recorded 4.6 million domestic and 1.03 million international passengers. In Q1 2026, passenger traffic saw 14% YoY growth for AirAsia, reached 7.54 million for Cebu Pacific (+8.4% YoY), and 4.3 million for Philippine Airlines (+6.1% YoY)

Aboitiz InfraCapital has started its upgrade project for Bohol-Panglao International Airport to improve passenger movement, accessibility, and overall operations at the airport. The airport is the 10th-busiest airport in the Philippines

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) will reduce the aviation fuel surcharge from Level 19 (16-30 Apr) to Level 18 from 1-15 May. Under Level 18, the surcharge will be from 593 PHP to 1,734 PHP for domestic flights and 1,958.44 PHP to 14,561.87 PHP for international flights. The adjustment was made after the global jet fuel prices dropped slightly

Philippine Airlines (PAL) reported $78.55 million USD net income for Q1 2026, +2.6% YoY, while the revenue increased to $895.70 million USD, +9.7% YoY, backed by 4.3 million passenger traffic, +6.1% YoY. Passenger revenues were recorded at $759.65 million USD, while the cargo division’s revenue was recorded at $43.21 million USD, +22.5%. Flying operations expenses increased to $447.08 million SGD, +9.2%

Northern Samar town mayors expressed concerns over high airfare connecting the province during a League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) meeting on 28 Apr. Catarman Mayor highlighted that airfare for the Catarman-Manila route by Philippine Airlines (PAL) costs between 15,000 PHP and 20,000 PHP. PAL-Tacloban Area Manager stated that the airport is limited to only turboprop aircraft, making the operating cost higher. Mapanas Mayor stated the high cost is especially affecting students and senior citizens

Qingdao Airlines set to launch direct flight between Changsha and Manila from 15 May to 26 Jun

Xiamen Airlines will launch two routes to Manila – from Chongqing from 21 May with 3 weekly flights, and from Hangzhou from 20 May with 4 weekly flights

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has commissioned Schema Konsult Inc. and South Korea-based Yooshin Engineering Corp. for a detailed engineering design of the planned 206.9-million-PHP second runway at Clark Airport. The second runway will serve as a backup for the airport during operational disruptions and will increase the airport’s capacity. The design is targeted for completion by Q2 2027 and the runway is expected to be operational by Q4 2029. Clark Airport handled 2.75 million passengers in 2025, and logistics companies such as United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (FedEx) are expanding their operations at the airport

Philippine Airlines is looking to resume flight service between Manila and Saipan from 21 Jun. The service was suspended for Saipan Airport’s runway repair works

Philippines AirAsia has cancelled its Manila-Hong Kong service from 9 May, and cancelled one daily flight on its Manila-Tokyo Narita from 1 Jun-30 Sep

Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) CEO announced a 70 million PHP allocation to rehabilitate nine domestic airport terminals, including at airports in Pagadian, Butuan, Zamboanga, Tuguegarao, Siargao, Roxas, Laoag, Kalibo, Dumaguete, and Calbayog. TIEZA has discussed with CAAP officials for Pagadian Airport upgrades, including the installation of overhead water tanks, improved conveyor systems, air-conditioning units, restrooms, chairs with charging ports, wheelchairs, wiring and plumbing systems, VIP room enhancements, and kiosks for snacks. This project will be fast-tracked and will be completed by Dec

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will receive its 9 aircraft from Airbus in 2026 as scheduled. The airlines have 13 additional A321neo jets and 8 A350-1000 jets outstanding orders. PAL has been adding second-hand A320-200s to operate under PAL Express for domestic operations, and they have received the first 3 of 5 aircraft since 2025. PAL conducts regular reviews of fuel surcharge, fares, and marginal routes. PAL secured sufficient fuel for domestic operations until the end of Jun 2026, and for the international supply is limited beyond May

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) asked the authorities to prepare for a jet fuel supply shortage in Jun, according to an assessment by the International Energy Agency (IEA). IATA Director General said Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific have started to reduce their scheduled flights, and Europe-based airlines could start to do the same soon. He added that IATA estimates there will be cancellations in Europe in May due to a lack of jet fuel. The IEA forecast shows Asia and the Pacific will be the most affected by the fuel shortages. Cirium said airline capacity in Asia will drop in May, as the airline will maintain their jet fuel inventory for high-demand flights

The Civil Aeronautics Board increased the passenger fuel surcharge to Level 19 for the second half of Apr, nearing the allowable ceiling. This has been in effect from 16 Apr. Under these levels, fuel surcharge for domestic flights will be from 627 PHP to 1,834 PHP, vs 253 PHP to 787 PHP in the first half of Apr, or a 147.82% and 133.04% increase, respectively, from Level 8 previously. For international passengers, the new surcharge is set between 2,070.77 PHP and 15,397.15 PHP, vs 835.05 PHP to 6,208.98 PHP, or a nearly 148% increase

Philippines Airlines has suspended its Manila-Saipan flights until 18 Jun, following runway repairs at Saipan International Airport in the Northern Mariana Islands following Typhoon Sinlaku

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has procured 46 new aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles to be deployed at 8 regional airports, including Laoag International Airport and Puerto Princesa International Airport. The remaining ARFF vehicles will be delivered to the Butuan, Siargao, Busuanga, Tacloban, Bicol, and General Santos International Airports. 16 ARFF units are set for delivery in 2026

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport offers a 10% rebate on takeoff and landing fees for airlines, as part of measures to assist them from the impact of the Middle East conflict. This will cost the government 5 million PHP, and is expected to last for 3 months. The General Manager of the airport assured the stakeholders that jet fuel at MCIA remains stable despite an increase in prices. He added that the busiest routes at the airport remain operational. Vietnam Airlines launched services from Hanoi to the airport, and Philippine Airlines offers flights to Guam

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) will operate as usual during the ASEAN summit, but travellers are advised to plan ahead, as there will be some adjustments to accommodate protocols for the visitors, including leaders from 11 member countries. Over 3,000 delegates are expected to arrive in Cebu for the ASEAN Summit

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is investigating a diverted Philippine Airlines (PAL) Express flight on 19 Apr, after receiving an emergency declaration from the crew due to an aircraft pressurisation failure. All 175 passengers on board disembarked safely

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has been upgraded for the ASEAN Summit in May, to welcome private aircraft

Mactan-Cebu Airport recorded 2,430,881 domestic and international passengers in Jan and Feb 2026, +17% YoY. The airport is working closely with hotel operators and tourism stakeholders in Cebu through industry dialogue as part of preparation for a possible disruption due to the Middle East conflict

Cathay Pacific will reduce flights from Hong Kong to Cebu and increase flights to Manila from 16 May to 30 Jun: Cebu, to 86 flights, a drop from 23,678 to 23,260 seats Manila from 269 flights to 251 flights, an increase from 98,009 to 101,729 seats