The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) is currently working to ensure viable airfares and expand access to more domestic and international destinations, seeking to strengthen the country’s aviation and tourism sectors.
At present, the DOTr is coordinating with the Civil Aeronautics Board regarding measures that balance affordability with sustainability for airlines.
This initiative is concurrent with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)’s ongoing drive for infrastructure upgrades.
Philippine Airlines welcomed the department’s collaborative approach, saying it is committed to aligning with the government’s connectivity and tourism agenda.
In a statement, airline executive vice-president and chief operating officer Carlos Luis Fernandez remarked: “As the flag carrier, we look forward to continuing this productive dialogue with the DOTr under the leadership of acting secretary Giovanni Lopez, confident that our joint initiatives will deliver lasting benefits to the traveling public and to the national economy.”
Likewise, industry leaders view Lopez’s entry to the department’s leadership as an opportunity to strengthen coordination between the public and private sectors, ensuring policies and infrastructure improvements deliver long-term benefits to passengers and the economy.
Coming up next
Among the projects under study is the proposed runway extension at Siargao Airport, which would enable larger aircraft to operate more efficiently and lower the cost per seat for travelers.
Meanwhile, the construction for the expansion of Siargao Airport’s passenger terminal building(PTB) is ongoing, in line with the current administration’s directive to enhance the travel experience and safety of local and foreign tourists in one of the country’s top tourism destinations.
The expanded and modernized Siargao Airport PTB will be able to accommodate 750 passengers daily, from the previous maximum capacity of 200 passengers.
