Sen. Migz Zubiri is pushing to make domestic travel more affordable and accessible for Filipinos, urging authorities to lift the ban on turboprop aircraft at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after warning that the policy has made trips to several Philippine provinces more expensive and difficult.
Zubiri raised concerns over the financial burden on Filipino travelers, particularly those who must now fly from Clark International Airport to reach destinations previously served by direct flights from Manila.
“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 said on Nov. 11.
He also pointed to the growing frustration of Filipinos who find overseas vacations more affordable than trips within their own country.
“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 said.
Turboprops are smaller aircraft powered by turbine-driven propellers. They can operate on shorter runways that cannot accommodate larger commercial jets, making them essential for connecting travelers to island destinations and provincial airports with limited infrastructure.
The government ordered their gradual removal from NAIA in December 2024 to reduce congestion and free up limited runway slots for larger aircraft carrying more passengers. The relocation began in March 2025, with the full restriction taking effect on March 29, 2026.
Philippine Airlines transferred its Manila flights to Siargao and Busuanga to Clark, while services to Antique and Catarman were rerouted through Iloilo and Cebu. Cebgo and AirSwift also relocated affected flights.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has directed aviation authorities to review the possibility of restoring turboprop operations at NAIA, taking into account airport capacity, passenger accessibility, and the implications for tourism.
