New Bicol flights may neglect Naga, CamSur

By SALLY A. ALTEA with JASON B. NEOLA

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is collaborating with airline companies and various partners to establish additional flight routes connecting the Bicol region to key local and international tourist destinations.

DOT Bicol Regional Director Herbie Aguas stated that discussions are ongoing with potential airline partners to relocate certain domestic flights from Manila to the Bicol region.

“The added flights will be a big help to boost tourist arrivals in Legazpi City, Albay, and the entire Bicol region,” Aguas said at the Tourism Council Forum in Legazpi City.

“We have requested direct two-way flights from the Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Albay to popular destinations like Davao, Palawan, and Siargao, which are regularly visited by tourists,” he added.

This initiative aligns with the Manila Slot Coordination Committee’s plan to shift turboprop operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to improve efficiency and safety. The committee is composed of the Department of Transportation, the Manila International Airport Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the Civil Aeronautics Board, and the private operator New NAIA Infrastructure Corp.

Aguas said that as part of this strategy, propeller-driven aircraft will be restricted at NAIA, leading to the rerouting of some flights to Clark and other provincial airports.

Currently, the BIA offers direct flights to Cebu and Iloilo. Furthermore, the airport is undergoing modernization, with facility upgrades expected to be completed later this year. These improvements include installing passport scanners and fully transferring government offices such as the Bureau of Immigration and Bureau of Customs to expedite international flight operations.

“We plan to start with charter flights to countries with visa-free entry, such as South Korea. While we anticipate outbound passengers from the Philippines, we also need assistance from our partners to facilitate incoming travel,” Aguas explained.

Sheila Osma, a mother of three from Legazpi City, expressed her excitement about the additional trips, especially since her family is planning a vacation this year.

“We are aiming for Palawan. Since it’s a direct flight, we can have bigger savings and use that for accommodations, destinations, and food in the local areas that we will visit,” Osma said.

Potential negative impact

While the initiative is expected to boost tourism in Albay and BIA’s surrounding areas, it raises concerns for Naga City and Camarines Sur. With no similar expansion plans for the Naga Airport, the province could be at risk of being left behind in terms of tourism and economic opportunities.

Tourism stakeholders in Naga worry that diverting direct flights to BIA could reduce air traffic to Naga, making it less accessible to travelers. Without new flight routes, tourists who would have flown directly to Naga may instead land in Albay, bypassing Camarines Sur. This shift could negatively impact local businesses, hotels, and tour operators that rely on a steady influx of visitors.

Additionally, the limited development of Naga Airport compared to BIA may discourage investors from prioritizing tourism-related projects in Camarines Sur, further widening the gap between the two areas in terms of infrastructure and economic activity.

Aguas expressed optimism that these initiatives will not only enhance local tourism but also have a positive impact on livelihoods throughout the country. However, without a parallel effort to develop flight routes to Naga, Camarines Sur could face challenges in keeping up with its neighboring provinces in the tourism sector.