Operations of Cebu Pacific’s Cebgo to Siargao and Masbate will be moved from Manila to Clark International Airport (CRK) beginning March 30.
The move is line with aviation authorities’ plan to gradually transfer turboprop operations from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to other airports.
The resolution was issued by the Manila Slot Coordination Committee – composed of the Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports; chiefs of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and New NAIA Infra Corp. general manager – on Dec. 3, 2024.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines told the Philippine News Agency that the plan is to transfer an initial 30 percent of turboprop operations.
“The rest are planned for winter schedule from 2025 to 2026,” he said.
In a previous interview with the PNA, Ines said the plan to move turboprop operations from NAIA to CRK has been there for quite some time, as this aims to promote Clark and minimize aircraft congestion.
Smaller planes at the NAIA Terminal mostly service resort destinations such as Siargao and Coron, he said.
CRK operator Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD) President and Chief Executive Officer Noel Mananquil said they are aware of ongoing discussions and welcome flights to serve more passengers.
“CRK has the capacity to connect international travelers to our famed island destinations with our transfer facility which is housed in the same terminal,” Mananquil said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific spokesperson Carmina Romero said Cebgo’s flights from Manila to Surigao will be canceled starting March 30.
Passengers could still connect to Surigao via Cebu.
Affected Cebgo passengers may avail of free rebooking, refund or store the amount in a virtual CEB wallet.
Meanwhile, the Gokongwei-led airline also announced that another subsidiary, AirSwift, will continue to operate from Manila until March 2026. (PNA)
