Antique board warns of tourism hit if Manila flights stop

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Antique officials are scrambling to keep commercial flights operating at the newly modernized Antique Airport ahead of the scheduled suspension of direct Manila service starting March 29, 2026.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has initiated measures to prevent the discontinuation of Philippine Airlines’ Manila–San Jose route after the Manila Slot Coordination Committee decided to phase out turboprop aircraft operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Provincial board members Ricky Lavega and Karmila Rose Dimamay separately filed resolutions on Feb. 9 urging national transportation and aviation authorities to reconsider the removal of flights at Antique’s lone commercial airport.

MSCC Resolution 2025-02, issued July 29, 2025, requires turboprop aircraft to cease operations at NAIA beginning March 29, 2026, to prioritize runway capacity for larger jet aircraft and reduce congestion.

The policy affects Philippine Airlines turboprop routes from Manila, including the Antique route, which faces discontinuation as direct service is expected to be rerouted via Iloilo, which is seen as a more viable alternative.

Lavega, chair of the provincial board committee on tourism, warned that halting the flights could stall the province’s economic gains and tourism momentum.

He said the airport upgrade was designed to spur development and attract more visitors to Antique, known for its ecotourism destinations and heritage sites.

“We are saddened because this will break the momentum. The purpose of that airport is to generate economic development and boost the tourism industry here in Antique,” he said.

His measure calls on the MSCC and other aviation regulators to retain the Philippine Airlines-operated route and prevent its cancellation or diversion.

Dimamay sought a broader appeal to the Department of Transportation, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and airline companies to sustain and expand commercial operations at the Antique Airport.

The two resolutions were consolidated into a single measure that also urges the Department of Transportation to expedite operational upgrades and secure clearances allowing Airbus aircraft and other carriers to serve the airport.

Antique Gov. Paolo Javier said he has reached out to Philippine Airlines management to seek reconsideration of the suspension and to explore deploying larger Airbus aircraft instead of turboprop planes to maintain the Manila connection.

The airport’s recent expansion extended the runway from 1,430 meters to 1,800 meters, enabling it to accommodate some jet aircraft.

Javier said larger aircraft, including Airbus jets, could lower per-passenger costs, potentially reducing ticket prices and increasing passenger demand.

Antique Airport serves San Jose de Buenavista and nearby towns in the province, and officials have said direct air links to Manila are a key driver for tourism and business travel in Western Visayas.