Sunlight Adds New Plane

 17 January 2025

Clark-based Boutique airline Sunlight Air has added a new turboprop from French manufacturer ATR, as it upgrades and expands its inter-island route this year.

The airline said the new ATR 72-600 will be stationed at Manila for Busuanga, Caticlan and Siargao flights, as it grow its fleet to four. It currently operates three 72-500s operating from its hub in Clark, Manila and Cebu.

The 72-600 offers seating capacity of up to 68 passengers. Sunlight selected the aircraft for fleet commonality and to update its old fleet with new ones for better efficiency and low carbon emission compared to the old ones.

Sunlight flies from Manila, Clark and Cebu, heading to Busuanga, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Puerto Princesa, San Vicente, Caticlan and Siargao.

CAAP sets delayed P12.4-B Aviation Infra upgrades

10 January 2025

By Joel E. Zurbano
Manila Standard

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is investing ₱10.6 billion for civil works and ₱1.8 billion for equipment and system upgrades in several domestic airports this 2025 particularly in Mindanao. 

These initiatives align with CAAP’s mission to modernize aviation infrastructure and enhance the country’s global competitiveness in the aviation sector.

The announcement was made during the pilot episode of the Department of Transportation’s “Sakay Na” program hosted by Executive Assistant to the Secretary Jonathan Gesmundo on Radyo Pilipinas.

CAAP Director General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo and Deputy Director General for Administration Danjun Lucas highlighted the government’s commitment to improving airport facilities, increasing operational efficiency, and ensuring a safer, more seamless travel experience.

Key priorities for 2025 include upgrading domestic airports of Cauayan in Isabela, Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte, and Pagadian in Zamboanga del Sur for night operations. This will allow more safe and efficient flight activity during the evening to meet the growing demands for air traffic.

Additionally, Bukidnon Airport is on track to begin operations for general aviation this year, creating a vital gateway for local travel and trade in the region.

“Our goal is to make the Philippine skies safe. We aim to prevent accidents and incidents as much as possible,” stated Captain Tamayo, underscoring CAAP’s commitment to aviation safety.

These modernization efforts are expected to boost tourism and trade, enhance airport operations, and improve the overall passenger experience. In the long term, they aim to support economic growth by fostering stronger connectivity throughout the archipelago.

2025 Aviation Infrastructure Program Revised At Bicam

Pag-Asa Airport in Palawan topped 2024 PH airport expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 January 2025

Congress has revised the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) on Aviation Infrastructure Program prior to enactment of 2025 General Appropriations Act in December 2024 to reflect a reduction of budget from 12 billion pesos to around ₱7.7 billion to upgrade 15 airports across the country, a lawmaker said on Wednesday.

In a press statement, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said the ₱7.7-billion funding for the Aviation Infrastructure Program will be used to construct, rehabilitate, and improve runways, taxiways, ramps, control towers, passenger terminals, and to acquire navigational equipment.

Under the 2025 General Appropriations Law, funding for New Dumaguete Airport was reduced, but Tacloban Airport project will still receive the largest share of ₱2.3 billion, followed by ₱1.65 billion for Pag-asa Island Airport, and ₱1 billion for Busuanga Airport.

"We are counting on these upgrades to enhance the overall air travel experience for passengers, attract more tourists, support the growth of small businesses, and create new jobs," Campos said.

Other allocations include ₱750 million for Laoag International Airport, ₱360 million for Bacon Airport in Sorsogon City, ₱280 million for Virac Airport, and ₱250 million for construction of Candon City Airport in Ilocos Sur.

The New Dumaguete Airport, New Manila International Airport, and Camotes Airport in Camotes island will each receive ₱200 million, while Camiguin Airport is allocated ₱180 million. Dumaguete, Camotes and Camiguin are foreign tourists destinations.

The New Zamboanga International Airport, Central Mindanao (M’lang) Airport, Panglao Airport, and Bukidnon Airport will get ₱130 million, ₱100 million, ₱52.1 million, and ₱50 million, respectively.

“These allocations are fully itemized in the 2025 budget,” Campos said.

 

The airport appropriations reflect the political affiliations of elected leaders in the Marcos government, with the President hailing from Ilocos, Senate President from Sorsogon, and Speaker of the House from Tacloban.  

Budgets for new airports are Bukidnon, Bacon, Candon, and Camotes, while the big new ones are Manila, Zamboang, Dumaguete, and Camiguin.

Only the airports of Laoag, Tacloban, Panglao, Busuanga, and Virac are served with regular passenger traffic by airlines.