May 22, 2015
At least one passenger must show a direct aircraft ownership connection for private non-revenue flights in the Philippines, according to new cabotage requirements from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Also, the owner-connected passenger must remain with the aircraft throughout the trip within the country.
Adding passengers in country who are not on the original international manifest is also not permitted for flights within the Philippines. However, passengers may be added for international sectors out of the country.
Passengers (other than the owner-connected passenger) may deplane during a stop in the country, and the number of passengers for the domestic sectors must be equal to or less than the international arrival group into Philippines.
Prohibitions against cabotage are strictly enforced in the Philippines, according to business aircraft operators, and passenger details must be provided in advance in order for the authorities to verify if there are any cabotage issues.
Here are examples of permitted operations (in which Pax A is the owner-connected passenger and Pax A, B, C and D are on the original submitted list):
- Pax A,B,C,D fly Singapore-Cebu
- Pax A, B then fly Cebu-Manila (OK as only dropping Pax C and D)
- Pax A, B, C and D fly Manila-Singapore
- Pax A, B, C, D, E and F then fly Manila-Singapore (OK to add to passengers on international sector out of the Philippines)
The Philippines’ requirements parallel recent passenger information changes in other countries. Thirty countries now require airlines to send advanced passenger information before a flight’s arrival, and another 32 countries are planning to introduce similar requirements.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.