A total of 23 airports in the country have been allowed by their local governments to handle commercial flights as of June 14, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
CAAP noted, however, that while some airports are allowed to handle commercial flights, these are subject to different documentary and passenger restrictions. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier said domestic flights starting June are allowed in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) but require approval from the local government.
Airports whose LGUs approved commercial flights are:
- Antique
- Borongan
- Catbalogan
- Cauayan
- Clark International
- Cotabato
- Davao International
- Dipolog
- General Santos
- Jolo
- Laguindingan
- Legazpi
- Mactan-Cebu International
- Masbate
- Naga
- Ninoy Aquino International
- Ormoc
- Pagadian
- Palanan
- Puerto Princesa International
- Romblon
- Tacloban
- Zamboanga
Nine airports, on the other hand, are set to start accepting commercial flights on later dates. These are:
- Catarman (June 16)
- Iloilo (June 16)
- Basco (July 1)
- Virac (July 1)
- Butuan (July 1)
- San Vicente (July 1)
- Busuanga (July 1)
- Surigao (August)
- Siargao (September 1)
Airports still not allowed by their respective local governments to handle commercial flights are:
- Bacolod-Silay
- Bohol-Panglao International
- Calbayog
- Camiguin
- Caticlan
- Dumaguete
- Guiuan
- Hilongos
- Kalibo International
- Laoag
- Maasin
- Marinduque
- Ozamiz
- Roxas
- Sanga-Sanga
- San Jose
- Tuguegarao
CAAP director general Jim G. Sydiongco earlier advised airlines to verify and confirm with concerned authorities if airports are already allowed to resume operations.
Regular commercial air travel had been suspended since travel restrictions were implemented as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease. Cargo and repatriation flights, however, have remained operational.
Last May, the government has eased community quarantines nationwide starting June, placing Metro Manila, Regions II, III, IV-A, VII, and Pangasinan, Zamboanga City, and Davao City under GCQ while the rest are under modified GCQ (MGCQ).
GCQ is a less restricted form of community quarantine than modified enhanced community quarantine. MGCQ, meanwhile, is a more relaxed version of GCQ and is the transition phase prior to the “new normal.”
Local airlines AirAsia Philippines, Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, and Philippine Airlines have already announced resumption of a limited number of domestic flights for this month.
