Currently running four daily flights on the Manila to Singapore route, Singapore Airlines is contemplating on expanding its operations by increasing the number of their daily flights in the country. “Where there are opportunities, we want to grow our services into the Philippines,” Philip Goh, regional vice president for South East Asia at Singapore Airlines, told reporters. Being one of the fastest economies in the region and a well-known tourist destination, the carrier considers the Philippines as a very important market.
However, the lack of infrastructure is imposing serious obstacles on the planned expansion. “We have been trying to increase our frequency from four daily (flights) to five daily for a number of years now but there’s no more slots. Until such time slots are available, we are constrained,” Goh said.
The government has been considering the possibility of developing a new international airport in Manila to alleviate the congestion in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport due to the increase of passengers. “I think the biggest constraint to growth in this area would be infrastructure… If facilities are there already, I think the market will take off,” concluded Goh. Until then, Singapore Airlines will have to wait until the necessary infrastructure is put up to make their expansion possible and viable.
