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The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines aims to complete its Civil Aviation Master Plan by end-2026, with all six parts to be finalized on October 27-29
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The master plan comes as passenger traffic is forecast to grow 7.2% a year from 2027 to 2032, with air cargo rising 5.5% and aircraft movements 6.9%
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CAAP has 91 projects lined up for 2026, backed by P1.217 billion for airport development and P804.391 million for air navigation services
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) aims to complete its Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) by the end of 2026. The plan seeks to improve the safety, efficiency and sustainability of Philippine aviation.
“This strategic roadmap establishes clear guidelines for safety, capacity expansion, and sustainability goals. We are aligning our master plan directly with global standards,” CAAP director general Raul Del Rosario said at the recent ASEAN Transportation Forum hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).
CAAP is drafting the master plan with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Under the EU-funded EU-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Sustainable Connectivity Package – Aviation Partnership Project, EU aviation specialists are helping CAAP align CAMP with international standards.
Six components to be finalized this month
CAMP will have six components:
- Philippine Aviation Safety Plan (PASP)
- Philippine Air Navigation Plan (PANP)
- National Aviation Security Program
- National Air Transport Facilitation Program
- Air Transport Master Plan (ATMP)
- Environmental State Action Plan
Speaking to media on the sidelines of the event, Del Rosario said four of the six components are nearly done. CAAP is now focused on completing the PANP and ATMP. All six will be finalized during EASA’s visit on October 27-29.
Ahead of CAMP, CAAP launched in November 2025 the fourth edition of the PASP, which is reviewed every two years, together with the State Safety Program (SSP). The PASP 2025-2027 and SSP set the country’s strategic direction for managing aviation safety.
At ECCP’s Aviation Summit in 2025, Philippine Airlines executive vice president and chief operating officer Carlos Luis Fernandez said the Philippines needs a single master plan for all airports to stay competitive and benefit from Asia’s aviation boom. International Air Transport Association Philippines country manager Samuel David backed the call at the same event, noting that other parts of Asia Pacific are also drafting their own civil aviation master plans.
Air cargo, passenger traffic set to grow
The master plan comes as passenger traffic is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 7.2% from 2027 to 2032, placing the Philippines among markets in the 25-100 million passenger category. Air cargo is projected to grow 5.5% and aircraft movements 6.9% over the same period.
“These numbers reinforce an urgent operational reality. We must expand airports capacity and enhance air navigation and reliability to support these growth,” Del Rosario said.
From January to August 2026, the Manila Area Control Center handled 224,931 international movements, up 2.05% year-on-year. Overflights rose 3.34% to 109,778. Del Rosario said this steady international growth shows the need for highly reliable air navigation services. Domestic movements, however, fell 1.93% to 183,579.
READ: PH international forwarders’ air cargo climbs 15.4% in H1
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91 airport and air navigation projects in 2026
Del Rosario said CAAP is ramping up infrastructure development. Under its 2025 procurement plan, five aerodrome projects (20%) are complete and 25 (80%) are ongoing, with a total budget of P895 million.
For 2026, CAAP’s portfolio has grown to 91 projects, 62 of which are aerodrome projects. Its 2026 budget is P1.217 billion for aerodrome development and P804.391 million for air navigation services.
Del Rosario also said the unsolicited proposal for the bundled development, operation and maintenance of three regional airports in Davao, Bicol and Siargao is nearing completion. The Philippine Regional Airports Consortium proposed a 30-year concession for Davao International Airport and Bicol International Airport, and a 15-year concession for Siargao Airport.
More night-rated airports, safety upgrades
To improve efficiency, CAAP has expanded night operations capability at 24 airports nationwide, with two more set to be night-rated. Del Rosario said night operations ease daytime congestion at major hubs and give airlines more flexibility to maximize aircraft use.
On safety, CAAP has procured eight new firetrucks to improve emergency response, with another 16 recently put up for tender.
In August, CAAP deployed Hyperspike HS-18 long-range acoustic hailing devices at key facilities. The devices are used for long-range emergency communication and to drive birds and wildlife away from active runways.
Last year, CAAP launched its Safety Reports Portal, where air carrier operators, crew and technical staff can file mandatory regulatory reports and voluntary safety suggestions. Del Rosario said the system helps spot hazards early and prevent incidents. —Roumina Pablo
