AirAsia boosts Cebu hub

Reopens 5 Routes

1 September 2025

Low cost carrier AIRASIA Philippines (APG) is strengthening its Cebu hub as it reopens three domestic and two international routes starting Nov. 15, 2025.

The carrier will resume flights from Mactan Cebu International Airport to Iloilo, Caticlan and Davao, as well as to Kuala Lumpur and Macau, using its Airbus A320 fleet. Ticket sales open on Sept. 3 via the Move app and airasia.com.

AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Suresh Bangah said it is reactivating another aircraft to support its Cebu expansion plans.

The airline operates a fleet of 15 Airbus A320 aircraft with the aim of operating 21 aircraft at the end of this year.

  

2026 Airport Infrastructure Program

 1 September 2025

 

AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
2026
ITEM	AIRPORT	ALLOCATION	REMARKS
1	New Dumaguete	2,520	NEP
2	Tacloban	741.756	NEP
3	Laoag	507.3	NEP
4	New Naga	444.675	NEP
5	Ormoc	433	NEP
6	Busuanga	415	NEP
7	New Manila	200	NEP
8	Kalibo	195	NEP
9	Bukidnon	150	NEP
10	Mlang	100	NEP
11	Antique	99.5	NEP
12	Antique	99.5	NEP
TOTAL		5,806	Billion
DOTr Central Office

 

 

Cebu Pacific moves Naga, San Jose flights to Clark ahead of turboprop phaseout

30 August 2025

Low cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) has announced that its turboprop flights to San Jose Mindoro and Naga will now fly out of Clark International Airport, beginning Oct. 26.

CEB said it will retain only one flight to Naga from Manila until March 2026, when all turboprop traffic will be restricted.

The turboprop transfer is in compliance with the July 29 resolution of the Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC) to limit turboprop operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The airline said the flights out of its Clark hub will be operated by its regional unit Cebgo, which operates an all-turboprop fleet.

Cebu Pacific said its boutique subsidiary, AirSWIFT, will continue to operate from NAIA Terminal 2 until March of next year. 

CEBgo Opens El Nido

28 August 2025

Low cost carrier Cebu Pacific is expanding its domestic turboprop network from Cebu with the launch of direct flights between Cebu and El Nido starting October 26, 2025. 

The new route will be operated daily by its airline subsidiary Cebgo (DG), in addition to the flights offered by another subsidiary AirSWIFT which currently flies between Cebu–El Nido route. 

With Cebu Pacific’s entry, travelers can now enjoy more choices and competitive fares just in time for the holiday season according to the airline.

“El Nido has long been one of the country’s most sought-after destinations, and soon it will be more accessible to those flying from Cebu and nearby provinces. By adding this route ahead of the holidays, we are not only strengthening inter-island connectivity but also creating more opportunities for every Juan to discover the best of the Philippines,” said Xander Lao, CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer.

PAL Reduces Turboprop Operations At MNL

 Starts Route Diversion by Winter Timetable

1 August 2025

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced that it will start transferring some of its turboprop-operated domestic routes from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Clark International Airport (CRK) and Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) starting Oct. 26, 2025.

 

PAL said it is complying with the government’s mandate to transfer turboprop operations out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

 

All of Basco flights will be transferred to Clark while some of Busuanga and Siargao flights will be transferred to Clark airport by October and complete transfer by March of next year. Services between Clark and Busuanga, as well as Clark and Basco, will increase to twice daily, while Clark-Siargao flights will continue to operate daily. 

 

Meanwhile. flights to Busuanga and Siargao to Cebu will be increased to three times daily, while a new route from Cebu to Calbayog with be launched, with flights operating four times weekly.

 

This Cebu-Calbayog service will replace Manila-Calbayog flights. Passengers flying out of Manila can still opt to connect via Cebu to Calbayog.

 

PAL is holding Antique and Catarman until March 2026 to ensure the preservation of essential air links to these provinces. 

 

The airline flies three weekly flights between Manila and Antique (San Jose), as well as its four weekly flights between Manila and Catarman.

CEB Breaks 100 aircraft Milestones

 19 July 2025

Largest A330 Operator in the Philippines 

Philippine low cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) has broken the 100 aircraft threshold as it officially welcome RP-C3911, the 12th out of the 16 A330-900 it ordered to Airbus in 2019. The remaining four will be delivered this year. CEB fleet now comprises 40 A320 aircraft, 17 of which are neo variant; 26 A321s, 15 of which are neo; and 22 ATR72-600s serving 37 domestic and 26 international destinations. The airline intends to serve regional and long-haul routes in Australia and the Middle East, as well as high-demand sectors. Cebu Pacific is the largest airline, and the largest Airbus operator in the Philippines. 

 

Air India Flies MNL

Flight Begins 1 October

8 June 2025

India's national flag carrier Air India has announced on Wednesday the launch of non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila from October 1, 2025, connecting the capitals of India and the Philippines for the first time in over a decade.

The Tata group airline will operate AI2362 five days a week every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, using its newly ordered 180 seater Airbus A321neo aircraft with a three-class cabin configuration featuring business class, premium economy, and economy classes, leaving DEL at 1320 arriving MNL Terminal 1 at 2240. Return flight A2361 leaves Manila at 2340 arriving Delhi at 0340 the next day.

This comes after the Philippines recently introduced visa-free entry for Indian tourists for up to 14 days, joining Thailand and Malaysia.

“The introduction of our Delhi-Manila route is a yet another step in our mission to connect India with more of the world, non-stop. As outbound travel from India grows at an unprecedented pace, with Indian tourists ranking among the highest spenders globally, the new entry rules for Indian tourists are a shot in the arm to boost tourism to the Philippines. We are happy to facilitate new opportunities for cultural exchange and economic collaboration between the two nations, while bringing the new Air India to more travellers around the world.” Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, of Air India said,

Data from the tourism department of the Philippines disclosed that the number of Indian nationals who visited the archipelago in 2024 grew 12.4 per cent year-on-year to almost 79,000. The number was around 53 per cent higher than 2022 levels.

Non-stop flights between India and the Philippines were last operated in 2013 by Philippine Airlines, when the carrier suspended the service due to low demand. 

PAL Appoints New President

25 April 2025

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), has appointed British national Richard Nuttall, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sri Lankan Airlines, as its new President, effective May 29, 2025.

Nuttall will be the first foreign President for the national carrier as it aims to accelerate the airline’s international expansion and drive for  “sustainable growth.”

“Appointing Richard Nuttall to Philippine Airlines is an important part of our medium-term and long-term strategy of building a robust management team and growing our business internationally,” said PAL Holdings President and Chief Operating Officer Lucio C. Tan III.

“I am confident that he will create and develop sustainable growth for PAL,” PAL Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lucio C. Tan said.

PAL said the company’s current president and chief operating officer (COO), Stanley K. Ng, will assume a new role as vice-president of PAL Holdings, Inc. and a member of the company’s board of directors.

PAL said Mr. Ng’s appointment at its parent company is expected to provide the flag carrier with strategic direction and vision in bringing the airline to a new level of service and profitability.

Further, PAL said its general counsel, Carlos Luis L. Fernandez, will also take on a new role as executive vice-president and chief operating officer effective May 29. 

Industry sources stated that Nuttall joining PAL is viewed as crucial in positioning PR for greater global competitiveness and strategic partnerships as the airline prepares its modernization strategy and route expansion plans coupled with operational excellence.