The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) added nine more night-rated airports in the country in the past six years, at a total cost of P3.6 bIllion.
This brought to a total of 23 airports with night landing capabilities out of total 43 commercial airports. Before the Duterte administration, only 14 airports were night-rated.
Increasing the capabilities of airports to service more passengers at extended hours has been a consistent thrust of the DOTr.
Equipping airports with night-landing capabilities give them flexibility to provide travelers with more flight options.
It also allows more turnaround time for airlines, reducing day time flight traffic and decongesting the country’s premier gateway the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The upgrading of an airport for night operation consists of building and procurement of navigational facilities and equipment, plus extension of runways to the tune of P400 million each.
The night-rated airports in the country include the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Clark International Airport Authority (CIAC), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), Davao International Airport (DIA), Kalibo International Airport (KIA), and Laoag International Airport (LIA).
In 2017, four airports were night-rated: Dumaguete Airport (Limited hours of operation upon request) (DA), Old Legazpi Airport (OLA), Roxas Airport (RA), and Caticlan Airport (Limited type of aircraft is allowed provided weather is visual meteorological condition) (CA).
In 2019, three more airports were night-rated: Panglao-Bohol Airport (PBA), Tuguegarao Airport (Special Operations on Take-off), Cotabato (Departure Only).
In 2020, Naga Airport was night-rated and in 2021, Bicol International Airport (BIA), Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPIA), Zamboanga Airport (ZA), Bacolod-Silay Airport (BSA), Butuan Airport (BA), Iloilo International Airport (IIA), Laguindingan Airport (LA), Tacloban Airport )TA), and General Santos Airport (GSA), joined the list.
In 2022 onwards, Cauayan Airport (CA), Tuguegarao Airport (fully night rated), Dipolog Airport (DA), Pagadian Airport (PA), Ozamis Airport (OA), Calbayog Airport (CA), and Catbalogan Airport (CA), are set for night rating.