Alphaland Aviation Becomes First Passenger Airline Operator to Fly Sangley

20 December 2021

Alphaland Aviation, a unit of Alphaland Corp., becomes the first airline to operate out of Sangley airport after securing new regulatory approval from Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to operate aircraft between Balesin Island and Sangley Point Airport again.

CAAP Director General Sydiongco said they are re-opening Sangley airport as the main base for commercial turboprop aircraft operations and general aviation traffic after Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) reported growing air traffic congestion this month brought by easing of government quarantine and travel restrictions.

“Originally, we plan to transfer all turboprop traffic out of NAIA by 2020 but Covid came, so decision on that was deferred. Now, everything is almost back to normal. So when air traffic goes back to pre-covid level by next year we will implement that decision before President Duterte steps down from office.” says Sydiongco.

Alphaland operates a pair of  ATR 72-500s and Cessna Caravans for flights to Balesin. 

“Alphaland is just the first airline to relocate there. In fact, they already launch flight there sometime in February 2020, so this is merely the continuation of that.” adds Sydiongco.

The operation of Sangley as a commercial turboprop, cargo props, and general aviation operations was made upon the instructions of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to utilize the airport and help ease air traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to the airport operator.

The airport operator also said there already exist a bus connection linking Sangley airport to Naia Terminal 1,2,3, and 4, which make transfer faster as they utilizes the Naia Expressway.

CAAP said Cebu Pacific, PAL Express, and other smaller airlines already expresses support to transfer their turboprop operations in Sangley airport once they are required to do so.

Cebu Pacific, as well as other turboprop cargo operators already transferred their business in Sangley before operations were halted by covid pandemic.

“When NAIA air traffic goes back to normal, transfer is bound to happen. Right now, they are restricted to fly in and out of the airport only between the hours of 10am-2pm slots, beyond that they have to fly either early morning or late in the evening. But that window will be gone soon when traffic stabilizes.” adds Sydiongco.

 Turbo propeller airline operators include Cebgo, PAL Express, Air Swift, Royal Star, and other general aviation operators.