AMID the collapse in air travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a deputy speaker on Sunday revealed that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to spend only P1 million on new aviation infrastructure in 2021.
In a statement, Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel said the allocation for new aviation infrastructure in 2021 “does not mean there won’t be any construction activities in our airports.”
“The DOTr is just completing airport projects for which funds have already been obligated,” Pimentel said.
Last week, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said 16 of the country’s airports are still closed to commercial flights.
Tourism-related businesses may have to rely on local visitors for an extended period, the lawmaker said.
However, even domestic tourism is bound to be dampened by the economic backdrop of many Filipinos losing their jobs and disposable income, Pimentel said.
“To cope with the pre-pandemic boom in air travel and address airport congestion, Congress had authorized over P16 billion in development funding since 2018 to expand and improve the country’s aviation facilities and services,” he added. “The DOTr even equipped many airports so that they can operate flights at night.”
However, Pimentel admitted that he doesn’t expect international air travel to rebound anytime soon.
“But harsh reality is, we are now in a situation wherein all our 49 airports nationwide may be operating well below capacity for a very long time,” he added. “We would urge tourism-related establishments across the country to brace for a long recovery, especially if they used to rely mainly on foreign visitors.”
The Montreal, Canada-based International Air Transport Association earlier said it doesn’t see global airline traffic returning to pre-pandemic levels until 2024.
The House leader added even domestic air travel may take a long time to bounce back.
“Our sense is, many Filipino families will likely avoid local air travel for leisure purposes until a Covid-19 vaccine becomes available,” Pimentel said. “Most Filipinos seeking leisure will likely take road trips closer to their homes – such as the nearest beach resort – that won’t require air or sea travel.”
Earlier, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said while majority of travelers expect a reduction in income and travel budget, 77 percent of respondents are willing to travel even in the absence of Covid-19 vaccine. Romulo-Puyat cited the Philippine Travel Survey Report of DOT and AIM-Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism, Guide to the Philippines.
“Forty-eight percent of this number [77 percent] say that they will travel within six months from the lifting of travel restrictions,” she told lawmakers.
In the same survey, Romulo-Puyat said it shows that the domestic leisure travel will lead Philippine tourism recovery but travelers plan to travel close to their homes.