Manila: The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has assured the public that effective measures are being implemented to lower the cost of domestic airfares, addressing rising concerns among passengers over high ticket prices.

According to Philippines News Agency, the CAB has been actively responding to these concerns in alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s directive to reduce ticket prices. One significant strategy includes extending runways to accommodate larger jets, a move already completed in Antique and soon to be implemented in Busuanga. This extension allows airlines to operate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A330, which can carry up to 459 passengers, as opposed to smaller turboprop aircraft with a capacity of approximately 72 passengers.

The CAB highlighted that airports with short runways, such as those in Siargao, Catarman, Antique, and Busuanga, currently only support turboprop operations. By enabling the use of larger aircraft, airlines can reduce fares due to increased passenger capacity. Additionally, the CAB is working on making small airports night-rated, which would allow them to accommodate more flights. This increased capacity at smaller airports is expected to further contribute to fare reductions.

Furthermore, the CAB stated that it maintains ongoing surveillance of airfares, especially on domestic routes, to ensure that pricing remains fair for passengers. The organization remains committed to implementing these measures as part of a broader effort to make air travel more affordable for the public.