The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Thursday assured the public it is working to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel as the country slowly returns to the pre-pandemic levels of air passenger and flight volumes.
“These efforts have been paying off, as evidenced by the resumption of commercial and international flight operations in several CAAP-operated airports around the country,” said CAAP director general Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo.
He cited as example the Kalibo International Airport which now serves direct flights to South Korea’s Incheon Airport from Air Seoul and T’way Air. As of Dec. 29, the airport has also commenced its direct flights to Taipei with Tigerair.
Loakan (Baguio) Airport has also resumed its commercial operations on Dec. 16 with Philippine Airlines offering flights from Cebu just in time for the Christmas season. Eastern Samar’s Borongan Airport also resumed its commercial flights on Dec. 19 and is now catering to Philippine Airlines flights to Manila via Cebu.
Puerto Princesa International Airport in Palawan, meanwhile, launched international direct flights to Taipei via Tigerair on Dec. 28. The Tigerair A320 aircraft arrived at full capacity in Puerto Princesa with 175 passengers and a crew of seven.
All of these new flights and routes show how air travel is perking up and regaining pre-pandemic numbers in terms of passengers and flights.
With these developments, according to Tamayo, CAAP is committed to ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel in the Philippines. This include the maintenance, management, and improvement of not only terminal operations, but also air navigation and air traffic control facilities. The agency is going full speed ahead in its efforts to provide a safe, comfortable, and efficient service to its passengers, stakeholders, and clients.
“We are determined to make things better in the aviation sector. The perking up of air travel is just one step towards the improvements that the Filipino people can expect from the government. We are committed to working hard to ensure that our airports and air traffic control systems meet international standards and that all aircraft operating in the Philippines are safe and well-maintained,” he said.
As the frequency of flights increases and health protocols continue to ease, CAAP expects passenger and flight volumes to continue to increase in the coming year. The agency is committed to supporting the growth and development of the aviation industry in the Philippines, and is excited to see the industry making a strong recovery, Tamayo said.
