Philippines: Limits on private jets set on 'worst in the world' Manila airport

Manila: What's causing "overcrowding" at the Manila airport?

Answer: Heavy aircraft movement.

Question: Which type of aircraft, exactly?

Answer: "General Aviation".

Question: What's that?

Answer: Private jets, mostly.

Now, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the private concessionaire managing Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), is proposing to limit "general aviation" to one slot per hour as part of efforts to optimise runway usage for commercial flights.

May elections

This move, expected to be implemented after the midterm elections in May, aims to maximise efficiency at Manila’s primary (and only) aviation gateway.

NAIA has consistently suffered a bad rep as being the "worst airport" in the world.

Over-capacity

The airport, which hit its peak of 40 aircraft movements per hour years ago, is served by two intersecting runways: the 3,737-metre primary runway (60m wide), and a 2,258m secondary runway (45m wide).

Building a third runway has been debated for years, but nothing came out of it.

Designed for 35 million, serves 45+ million

The NAIA terminals are operating beyond their design capacity of 35 million passengers, clogging air traffic and delaying flights. In 2023, the airport handled over 45 million passengers, making it one of the world's busiest.

The new operator led by San Miguel Corp (SMC) won the privatisation deal with its $3-billion bid and took over on September 14, 2024.

SMC offered the central government 82 per cent of revenue for 15 years, with an option to extend it by another decade.

Move to ease congestions

To ease airline congestions, NNIC is now reportedly planning to cut the number of "general aviation" slots to just one per hour.

The proposal was a "compromise", given resistance from influential figures who use private jets.

Rich and influential people are reportedly opposed to a complete scrapping of general aviation operations at the facility, according to local media.

Data

Data from the Manila International Airport Authority revealed that from January to November 2024, NAIA handled 20,632 general aviation flights, serving 27,886 passengers.

In 2023, the airport recorded 24,145 flights and 31,370 passengers in this category, reflecting a near 1:1 ratio of aircraft to travellers — far less efficient than commercial jetliners.

Turboprops to be moved

NNIC is also pushing to phase out turboprop operations at NAIA by March, relocating them to secondary airports like Clark International Airport.

For example, turboprops such as the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400, used by Philippine Airlines (PAL), can accommodate up to 86 passengers and typically service routes to underdeveloped island airports like Busuanga and Siargao.

Ramping up capacity

Under its government concession, NNIC is mandated to increase NAIA’s hourly aircraft movement capacity from the current 40 to 48.

This forms part of a broader series of moves, including reassigning terminals to enhance runway efficiency and streamlining flight schedules.

The relocation of turboprops to Clark International Airport, is set to take effect on March 30, according to local media.

NNIC’s initiatives are aligned with airlines’ calls to prioritise commercial operations at NAIA by reducing private flight activity.