The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is planning to increase the arrivals cap for international passengers to accommodate more returning overseas Filipinos (OF).
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said his group is now exploring alternative gateways to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), Clark International Airport, and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to increase the arrivals cap.
“The capacity today is around 2,000 passengers…if we’re going to increase the capacity from 2,000 to say 3,000 passengers, we have to add more gateways. We have to stop limiting the arrivals to Naia, Cebu, and Clark. Let’s explore if we can open arrivals to General Santos, Panglao, Ilocos, Laoag, or Vigan,” he said during the online Pandesal Forum hosted by Kamuning Bakery on Monday.
Tugade said he has already instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) to “explore the adding of more gateways.”
“If we can add more gateways, we can add more capacities. This will also benefit the local economy of the airports,” he said. “These are subject to the approval and coordination of the local government.”
Local carriers have been seeking the increase in arrivals cap for international passengers to accommodate the demand from overseas Filipinos who want to come home. There is also demand from a market of “stranded” Filipinos abroad.
Currently, returning OFWs are being accommodated through repatriation flights mounted by local airlines.
Caap Chief of Staff Danjun G. Lucas noted that his group has started exploration talks with airlines and local governments.
“Earlier this morning [Monday], we met with PAL [Philippine Airlines] for the possible exploration of flights. PAL said there are possible flights to Panglao in October. We are also exploring other airports for international arrivals,” he said.
This move also entails the adding of quarantine facilities, customs facilities, as well as immigration facilities within and around the possible gateways.
The international arrivals cap was introduced last year as part of the pandemic mitigation efforts of the government.
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