Senator Zubiri seeks return of turboprop flights to NAIA

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri is urging the government to reconsider its ban on turboprop aircraft operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), saying the policy has made domestic air travel more costly and less accessible to Filipino travelers.

Zubiri argued that transferring turboprop flights to Clark International Airport has created additional financial and logistical burdens for passengers, particularly those traveling to popular local destinations.

“We are killing domestic travel. Ever since turboprops were transferred from NAIA to Clark, domestic flights have become more expensive and become more logistically inaccessible for many people,” Zubiri warned.

The senator expressed support for Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay's call to reverse the restriction, which took full effect on March 29, 2026. The policy was introduced as part of efforts to ease congestion at NAIA by allocating more takeoff and landing slots to larger aircraft.

Under the arrangement, passengers traveling to destinations such as Siargao, Coron, and El Nido have had to depart from Clark or take connecting flights through other regional airports, resulting in longer journeys and higher travel expenses.

Zubiri said requiring passengers from Metro Manila to travel to Clark effectively increases the cost of domestic trips, particularly for those heading to island destinations.

“Secretary Angara-Mathay is absolutely correct, we need to allow turboprops back at NAIA. Doble ang gastos ng mga tao kung kailangan pa nila pumunta ng Clark para makalipad sa Siargao, Camiguin o sa Coron. And not a lot of people are willing or able to do that, as we can see from our stagnating tourism industry,” Zubiri stressed.

The senator also cited the two- to three-hour road trip between NAIA and Clark, depending on traffic, as an added inconvenience for travelers who must shoulder additional transportation costs before boarding their flights.

He warned that these expenses could discourage families from choosing local destinations, reducing potential earnings for communities and businesses that rely on tourism.

“Mas pinipili pa ng mga kababayan natin na magbakasyon sa Vietnam o sa Taiwan, kasi mas mura pa ang flights doon kesa sa sarili nating mga probinsya,” he lamented.

Zubiri said he had opposed the blanket restriction even before its implementation, arguing that airport decongestion efforts should not come at the expense of convenient domestic air connections.

“Last year ko pa sinasabi ito, bago pa ‘yung ban. Transferring all turboprops out of NAIA was a problematic move. Yes, Clark should get its share of turboprops, to service people in nearby provinces. But completely banning them from NAIA is not the way to go,” he maintained.

While recognizing Clark's potential as an alternative aviation hub, Zubiri said NAIA should continue serving passengers from Metro Manila and nearby areas who need direct access to domestic destinations. He also pointed out that reliable rail connectivity between Metro Manila and Clark has yet to be completed.

He emphasized that improving access to local tourist destinations would benefit not only airlines but also hotels, resorts, restaurants, transport operators, and small businesses dependent on tourism revenues.

“I always say tourism is a low-hanging fruit for us. We have spectacular beaches and mountain ranges and cuisine. There is a lot to discover all over the country, for foreigners and Filipinos alike. But tourists will not come unless we have an efficient tourism infrastructure,” Zubiri pointed out.

The senator called on Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and the Manila Slot Coordination Committee to review the restriction and explore arrangements that would allow turboprop flights to return to NAIA without undermining efforts to improve airport operations.

“I hope the Department of Transportation heeds our call. Bringing turboprops back to NAIA is a vital move for our tourism industry.”