Philippines braces for aviation boom in 2035 — DOTr

CEBU, Philippines — Representatives from 37 member states across Asia and the Pacific have convened in Cebu yesterday for the 59th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) at the Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort in Lapu-Lapu City.

The five-day conference organized by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) welcomed over 300 international stakeholders from the aviation industry and representatives from 15 international organizations.

These participants will discuss the urgent need for the aviation industry to evolve in response to global challenges, with a focus on environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and social inclusivity. The theme of the conference, “Shaping the Future of Aviation: Sustainable, Resilient, and Inclusive,” underscores these priorities.

The talks will address key issues, particularly aviation safety, security, and the economic development of air transportation.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista assured that the Philippines will continue to support DGCA’s efforts in creating plans for the Asia-Pacific region that align with global aviation standards.

He noted that the Asia-Pacific region has emerged as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, now holding a 32 percent share of global traffic.

“Projections indicate that by 2035, the region will become the world’s largest aviation market, with over 3.5 billion passengers annually,” he said.

In response to these projections, the Philippines aims for an “ambitious 87 percent increase in government investment in the aviation and airport sectors.”

“As of August 2024, we have successfully completed 53 airport projects, a remarkable increase from just 17 in June 2022, further solidifying our dedication to building a resilient and modern aviation network that supports sustainable growth across the region,” Bautista said.

In his speech, CAAP Director General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo said that for many years, both the industry and the global community largely overlooked to prioritize the climate impact of air travel.

“Today, we know better. We are now in an era where sustainability has become a key focus,” he said.

“With challenges such as bird strikes due to growing wildlife populations and increased aircraft traffic, extreme weather events disrupting air operations, and the sector’s contribution to global warming and greenhouse gas emissions,” Tamayo said, “The need for environmentally responsible solutions is more urgent than ever.

Tamayo added that the Philippines is one of the first ICAO member states in the region to voluntarily participate in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.

This enabled CAAP strictly enforce policies like proper load distribution for fuel efficiency, conducting airworthiness inspections, and improvement of airport infrastructure design to support sustainability.

Tamayo was proud that for this year, Iloilo International Airport earned the ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System, while Mactan-Cebu International Airport achieved Level 1 Airport Carbon Accreditation.

On the other hand, Tamayo said that, there are now policies the Philippines that the benefits from the aviation industry are shared equitably regardless of gender.

“While the aviation industry is known to be a male-dominated sector, the women of the CAAP have made significant contributions across technical decision-making and high-level positions, challenging traditional gender roles with utmost excellence and grace,” Tamayo stressed.

Admittedly though, Tamayo said that employee composition still consists of 70 percent male while 30 percent are female.

The women in CAAP are occupying 226 leadership positions which continue to rise each year.

“This environment promotes a diversity of perspectives, ensuring that no man nor woman, and no country is left behind in our collective journey towards a more progressive aviation sector,” said Tamayo.

This year marks the fourth time the country is hosting the DGCA gathering in the Asia-Pacific region, and the second time it is being held in Cebu.

Manila hosted the 1st and 52nd DGCA conferences in 1960 and 2015, while Cebu first hosted the 39th conference in 2002. — (FREEMAN)