DOT calls for airline regulation review to make domestic travel more affordable for Filipinos

 

The Department of Tourism (DOT) calls for a review of airline regulations during a public Senate hearing of the Committee on Tourism on Tuesday, February 3. (Photo Courtesy of DOT) 

By Janna Marie Pineda 

QUEZON CITY (PIA) — In response to growing public concerns on rising domestic ticket prices, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is pushing for a comprehensive review of airline regulations to promote transparency and ensure local travel remains accessible to Filipinos. 

“We are one with the Filipino public in calling for a comprehensive approach towards managing ticket prices, improving infrastructure and accessibility overall,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during a public Senate hearing of the Committee on Tourism on Tuesday, February 3. 

Citing Republic Act No. 11682, Frasco stressed that local airline carriers have the responsibility to balance commercial gains with their public interest obligations. According to the said law, which grants franchises to local carriers, airlines are mandated to ensure that air transportation remains accessible and affordable, not just profitable.

To operationalize this mandate, the DOT requested the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to submit a monthly airline ticket pricing index. This initiative aims to strengthen consumer protection and empower travelers to make informed travel decisions. 

Meanwhile,  industry leaders underscored that high airfares are also linked to infrastructure limitations, such as limited runway capacity, which the government is actively addressing to sustain the growth of the local tourism industry. 

To further address airfare-related concerns, the DOT continues to implement convergence programs with concerned stakeholders that prioritize aligning regulatory oversight to ensure  ‘just and reasonable’ costs, supporting infrastructure and connectivity projects to expand flight options, and reinforcing consumer protection to safeguard travelers against unfair pricing and service disruptions.

In 2025 alone, the DOT supported the launch of 23 new international flights connecting Manila, Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, and Kalibo to key foreign destinations. 

Surpassing its pre-pandemic peak of 122 million in 2019, the Philippines logged 134 million domestic trips in 2024. Valued at over USD 70 billion, this represents the largest domestic tourism share in the Southeast Asian region. (JMP/PIA-NCR)