MANILA, Philippines — The limited runway length in several domestic destinations necessitates the use of smaller aircraft, which significantly drives up airfare due to higher per-passenger operating costs.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) are addressing these issues by extending runways so they can service larger jet aircraft.
The DOTr was urged to lower airfares following traveler complaints about high costs.
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and the DOTr have also secured commitments from airlines to lower domestic ticket prices.
DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez recently secured commitments from major carriers like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to lower domestic ticket prices, specifically for high-demand routes like Siargao.
The CAB, which regulates airfares, fuel surcharges, and the economic aspects of air transport, said that ticket prices depend on several factors such as aircraft size and passenger capacity. If a plane is large and carries many passengers, the price can be lowered because revenue is spread across a larger group.
The DOTr and CAB said that the capacity of an Airbus A330, used in major local airports like Davao, Cebu, and General Santos City, reaches up to 459 passengers. In contrast, a turboprop aircraft like the ATR-72 has a standard capacity of only 72 passengers.
Fewer passengers mean higher costs per person.
Some of the country's airports including Catarman, Siargao, Antique, and Busuanga can only accommodate small turboprop aircraft due to their short runways.
