44 airports greenlit for commercial flights: What this means for vaccination program


Forty-four out of 45 airports under their control of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have been permitted to operate commercial flights with the required coordination and approval from the Local Government Units (LGUs).

(Photo by Eitan ABRAMOVICH / AFP)

Civil Aviation Spokesman Eric Apolonio identified the 44 Philippine airports as Antique Airport, Bacolod Airport, Basco Airport, Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Borongan Airport, Busuanga Airport, Butuan Airport, Calbayog Airport, Catarman Airport, Catbalogan Airport, Cauayan Airport, Cotobato Airport, Davao International Airport, Dipolog Arport, Dumaguete Airport, General Santos Airport, Guiuan Airport, Hilongos Airport, Iloilo International Airport, Jolo Airport, Kalibo International Airport, Laguindingan Airport, Laoag International Airport, Legaspi Airport, Marinduque Airport, Masbate Airport, Naga Airport, Ormoc Airport, Ozamis Airport, Pagadian Airport, Palanan Airport, Puerto Princesa International Airport, Romblon Airport, Roxas Airport, San Jose Airport, Sanga-Sanga Airport, San Vicente Airport, Siargao Airport, Tacloban Airport, Tuguegarao Airport, Virac Airport and Zamboanga International Airport.

Camiguin Airport is not yet allowed to operate commercial flights while Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark International Airport, Cebu-Mactan International Airport and Caticlan Airport are not under CAAP control, meaning they have their own authority.

With the 44 airports now operational in the country, there is no reason why the much needed vaccines can be brought directly to the LGU’s provincial airport if allowed by the national government and approved by the Senate.

If approved by the Senate, LGUs and some private entities can directly order COVID-19 vaccines using their own funds. This is expected to help the national government in speeding up the conduct of its immunization program.