Ruth Haines
The Philippines has been subject to various airport closures over the years, with the most recent being in December 2021, when Siargao Airport was severely damaged by Typhoon Odette. The airport was closed to commercial flights but reopened on December 28, 2021, marking the resumption of commercial operations for all 24 airports damaged by the typhoon. The COVID-19 pandemic also caused significant disruptions to airport operations in the Philippines, with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) temporarily suspending flights to and from the country in May 2020. Additionally, in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan caused widespread damage, leading to the closure of several airports, including Tacloban Airport, which was closed to private, non-commercial flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 28th December 2021 |
| Airport | Siargao Airport |
| Type of flights | Commercial |
| Reason for closure | Typhoon Odette |
| Other airports reopened | Loakan Airport, Borongan Airport |
| Airports closed | Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Davao International Airport, Clark International Airport, Iloilo International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Zamboanga International Airport, Kalibo International Airport, Laoag International Airport, Puerto Princesa International Airport |
| Year of previous closure | 2020 |
| Reason for 2020 closure | COVID-19 |
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What You'll Learn
Typhoon Odette caused the closure of 24 airports
Typhoon Odette, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2021, caused the closure of 24 airports and 160 ports nationwide. The typhoon made landfall on December 14, battering the Visayas, Mindanao, and parts of Luzon before exiting on December 18.
Operations in various airports and seaports in Visayas, Mindanao, and some parts of Luzon were suspended due to the typhoon. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific cancelled several domestic flights as a result. Surigao Del Norte representative Francisco Jose Matugas II reported that the Surigao Airport passenger terminal building was completely destroyed, but the runway was clear for aircraft landings.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported that as of 11 am on December 20, 14 of the 24 airports affected were operational, 8 were damaged but operational, and 2 remained closed. The two airports that remained closed, Surigao and Siargao, were still operating for government, military, emergency, cargo, and humanitarian flights.
Siargao Airport, which was critically damaged by the typhoon, reopened for commercial flights on December 28. Transportation Secretary Art Tugade assured President Rodrigo Duterte that despite the critical state of the airport, it would be commercially operable. The resumption of Siargao Airport's commercial operations meant that all 24 airports impacted by Odette were open for commercial flights.
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Repatriation of Filipinos was affected by airport closures
The Philippine government has been actively involved in the repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during the pandemic. The government has spent money on charter flights, accommodation, and COVID-19 testing for repatriated OFWs, who were quarantined in hotels. The Philippine agencies have also provided DOLE-AKAP cash assistance worth PHP 10,000 to Filipinos affected by the pandemic. Since May 2020, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has assisted over 800,000 OFWs by providing them with food, quarantine facilities, and transportation to their home regions.
The highest number of OFWs sent home was during the period from November 15 to December 12, 2020, with 56,925 people repatriated. In 2021, the highest number was 45,703, between October 17 and November 13. The OWWA has assured that as long as there are OFWs affected by the pandemic who want to go home, the repatriation program will continue.
Airport closures due to typhoons have also impacted the repatriation process. In 2013, Typhoon Odette severely damaged the Siargao Airport, and all 24 airports that sustained damage from the typhoon were closed for commercial flights. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced that all typhoon-affected airports were fully operational, except for Tacloban Airport, which maintained a ban on private, non-commercial flights. The resumption of commercial operations at these airports is crucial for providing more transportation options and supporting local economies.
In addition to natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic has also led to flight delays and cancellations at Manila Airport, impacting the travel plans of many Filipinos. The Philippine government has implemented guidelines to protect Filipino travellers, and in 2022, 32,000 Filipinos were 'offloaded' at airports due to suspicions of human trafficking. The Philippine Senate has proposed initiatives to compensate individuals affected by offloading, demonstrating their commitment to addressing this issue.
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The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines suspended flights in 2020
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) suspended inbound international flights for a week in May 2020. The suspension was to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The CAAP issued a notice to suspend all inbound international passenger and commercial flights until May 10, 2020. Nine international airports in the country were covered by the notice. Only cargo, medical, utility, and maintenance flights were exempted from the suspension.
The CAAP also announced the suspension of Cebu Pacific (CEB) flights from Manila-Naga-Manila in July 2020. The decision was made at the request of Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte, who sought to prevent the spread of the virus in the province. The governor expressed concern over falsified medical certificates presented by returning locally stranded individuals and overseas Filipino workers.
In December 2020, the CAAP reported that commercial flights were operating out of 43 airports with local government consent, while six airports remained closed to commercial traffic. The six airports that did not resume commercial operations were Camiguin Airport, Puerto Princesa International Airport, Roxas Airport in Capiz, Tuguegarao Airport, San Vicente Airport in western Palawan, and Sanga-Sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi.
As of December 2021, the Siargao Airport, which was among the 24 airports damaged by Typhoon Odette, resumed commercial operations. This marked the reopening of all 24 airports affected by the typhoon. The rehabilitation of these airports is part of the CAAP and the Department of Transportation's goal to enhance the affordability, reliability, and convenience of air transportation in the Philippines.
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International flights to Cebu resumed in 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the aviation industry in the Philippines, with many airports and flights being affected by closures and restrictions. In June 2020, Cebu Pacific announced that all international flights scheduled for that month would remain suspended. However, the airline gradually resumed some domestic flights from its Clark, Cebu, and Iloilo hubs.
As the Philippines began to reopen its borders and revive its economy, long-haul international flights to and from Cebu gradually resumed operations. In August 2020, airport authorities announced the resumption of direct flights between Cebu and Qatar, with Qatar Airways relaunching its Cebu-Doha route. This move was welcomed by airport officials and the airline as a step towards offering more connectivity to the world and reviving the economy.
Cebu Pacific, the Philippines' largest airline in terms of passengers on domestic and international routes, has played a crucial role in the resumption of international flights to Cebu. In 2022, the airline experienced a travel boom, carrying 14.8 million passengers, a significant increase from the previous year. As travel restrictions eased, Cebu Pacific increased the frequency of its Manila-Hong Kong flights and resumed some flights to mainland China.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the resumption of international flights to Cebu in 2020 was a positive development for the local community and economy. It provided a boost to the aviation and tourism industries, offering more transportation options and opportunities for trade. The gradual resumption of flights by airlines like Cebu Pacific contributed to the revival of the economy and connected the Philippines to the rest of the world.
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The Philippines closed airports to international flights in 2020
The Philippines, like many other countries, closed its airports to international flights in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This caused a dramatic decline in air traffic volumes, not just in the Philippines but worldwide. The country has several airports that serve international flights, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which is one of the busiest in the country. It serves about 45 million passengers on average and offers both domestic and international flights.
The closure of airports in the Philippines caused significant disruptions to travel and connectivity within the country. The Philippines has numerous airports, with 85 national airports in total, including smaller community airports that often have very few connections with each other. As a result, even for simple routes, travellers typically need to reach one of the larger airports in Manila or Cebu first and then take a second flight to their final destination.
The impact of the airport closures extended beyond just travel inconveniences. It also had economic implications, particularly for the aviation and tourism industries, which suffered significant losses due to the sharp drop in air traffic. The recovery of air traffic volumes to pre-pandemic levels depends on various factors, including economic recovery and the easing of domestic and international travel restrictions.
Since the initial closures in 2020, the Philippines has made efforts to resume airport operations and welcome commercial flights gradually. Typhoon Odette, which caused severe damage to the Siargao Airport and 23 other airports, led to temporary closures in December 2021. However, quick rehabilitation efforts were made, and commercial operations resumed within days, showing the country's resilience and commitment to restoring air connectivity.
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Frequently asked questions
All typhoon-affected airports were reopened by November 20, 2013, except for Tacloban Airport, which could only accommodate a limited number of commercial flights.
Domestic flights in the Philippines resumed in June 2020. International flights to the Philippines resumed in December 2021.
Siargao Airport, which was damaged by Typhoon Odette, reopened to commercial flights on December 28, 2021.
Borongan and Loakan Airports reopened to commercial operations on December 15, 2022.
