6533b86ffe1ef96bd12ce4b1

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Philippines ports and airports in Asian transportation networks

subject

description

International audience; Favorably located half-way between Singapore and Japan, not far from Hong Kong or Taiwan, the Philippines appear as as a weaker participant in the vitality of trade and transportation in this part of the world. Maritime ports' output and international aviation passenger traffic reveal weaknesses in the overall transportation system of this archipelagic country. Runway limitations to the number of flights at Manila airport, as well as the growing importance of inter-island flights have constrained the availability of slots for international flights, even if some linkages between Asian cities and Cebu can provide some relief. This is why the former Air base at Clark- Pampanga is promoted as a new platform for better air service to the Philippines. Low-cost airlines have seized the opportunity to develop at Clark, but the distance to Manila (100 kilometers) may hamper any siginificant growth at the airport for major world airlines. Similar difficulties arise for the port of Manila, constrained by its position in the heart of a crowded city. There are plans to develop Batangas, a major ferry port to Mindoro island, into a large container facility, in sync with the rapid development of industrial parks in Cavite and Laguna provinces. A possible shift of the port traffic to Batangas may free up enough space to develop a new air facility, close to Manila, with seaside air access to reduce airplane noise. These combined developments may allow the Philippines to develop stronger linkages with neighboring countries in the future.