The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has set a new policy requiring all new airports to have a minimum runway length of 2,100 meters, enabling the operation of larger Airbus aircraft that can carry more than double the passengers of the turboprop planes currently limited to shorter runways—with the direct goal of lowering airfares by spreading costs across more passengers.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez explained the details in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on August 29, as part of the DZRH SONA 2026 Series featuring the DOTr.
He said the economic logic is straightforward: a turboprop plane carries only around 70 passengers, while an Airbus A320 carries 170 to 210, meaning the fixed costs of operating a flight, including fuel, crew, and landing fees, are divided among far more passengers when a larger plane is used.
“Pahabaan natin, palaparin natin yung ating mga runway para yung mga malalaking eroplano, if this is sabi ng turboprop nagkakasya lang ang 70, kung ipipilit yata natin 80 passenger, these 80 passengers will divide the cost of the airfare. Ngayon kapag mas malaki po ang ating mga eroplano kasi mahaba ang runway, we’re talking po nung mga Airbus natin,” Lopez said.
Undersecretary for Aviation Capt. Jim Sydiongco said the Airbus A320, the most common commercial aircraft in the Philippine market, carries 170 to 210 passengers, meaning a runway extension that allows Airbus operations can more than double the passenger capacity of any affected airport.
Lopez said Busuanga Airport in Coron is the first tourist airport targeted for the 2,100-meter runway extension, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2027, enabling Airbus flights to one of the Philippines’ most visited island destinations.
He said Siargao Airport presents a more complex challenge due to mangroves on one side and mountains on the other, but the DOTr is working on a solution and has already installed portable lights to enable night flights as a short-term measure.
