Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) is the largest and busiest airport on Palawan, serving as the main point of entry for travellers to the Filipino island. It serves the town of Puerto Princesa (pop. 307,000) and is the main gateway to Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Quick Statistics
- Full name: Puerto Princesa International Airport
- IATA code: PPS
- GPS code: RPVP
- Location: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Province, Philippines
- Timezone: GMT +8
- Annual Passengers: 2,100,000
- Annual Flights: 21,000
- Routes Offered: 50
- Airlines Served: 25
- Connected Countries: 15
- Wikipedia Page
History
Puerto Princesa Airport was built during World War 2 between 1942 and 1944. Two runways were built by American prisoners of war using crushed corals to illuminate landings at night. The purpose was to accommodate large Japanese aircraft which needed to enter battle.
The US Army Air Force occupied the base after liberating Palawan in April 1945. The US Army and Navy expanded the airbase to modernize the facility as a military centre. Steel and concrete were used to strengthen the runways, and air control facilities were constructed.
The airport was first used for commercial purposes in 1947, with a Manila to Puerto Princesa route operated by Philippine Airlines. It wasn't until the late 1990's when the airport welcomed its first wide-body aircraft service, also operated by PAL.
Structures & Runways
Puerto Princesa airport has a single runway, which is 2,600 meters long and 45 meters wide. The concrete runway is equipped with an instrument landing system as well as approach landing lights which make nighttime operations and low visibility landings possible.
PPS has a parking lot with a capacity of just over 200 vehicles, located right in front of the terminal. Rates are charged hourly. There is additional overflow parking and motorcycle parking available as well.
Terminal
Puerto Princesa airport consists of a 140,000 square foot, two-level passenger terminal built between 2014 and 2017. It serves over two million travellers annually on 15,000-20,000 flights in any given year. It has a total of six bays, four suited for narrow-body aircraft and two for wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A330 and the Boeing 787.
The terminal has two lounges. Mabuhay Lounge by Philippine Airlines is accessible to Business Class passengers as well as Elite Members of Mabuhay Miles. PAGSS Lounge is the second lounge within the airport, which may be accessed via Priority Pass. As of 2019 both lounges as well as the entire terminal itself offers free WiFi to all travellers.
The airport is small and does not require much time to navigate. Upon entry you will be required to show your travel itinerary. Four check in counters are available with luggage drop-off. After passing a small security area you'll enter the departure hall. The three boarding gates are located in a single lobby. In addition to the lounges, this terminal offers massage services, foreign cash exchange and duty-free shopping.
Arrivals at Puerto Princesa airport may access the information desk, which provides tourist information to visitors of the island.
Airlines & Destinations
| Airlines | Destinations | Note |
| Cebu Pacific | Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, Manila | Daily, year-round |
| Cebgo | Cebu, Iloilo | Jan-Mar, Su/Mo/We/Fr |
| PAL Express | Cebu, Manila | Daily, year-round |
| Philippines AirAsia | Manila | Daily, year-round |
| Sunlight Air | Manila (charter) | Charter only |
| Tigerair Taiwan | Taipei (charter) | Charter only |
Puerto Princesa Airport Location
The airport is located at coordinates 9°44'31"N / 118°45'32"E. It is within Peurto Princesa City, which is on the coast in central Palawan island, Philippines.
Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido
To get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa Airport, you will need to book a bus or charter company. The driving time is roughly 5 hours. The price is typically $10-20, or 600-800 PHP. There are several tour companies offering this service:
There are currently no flights that operate between Puerto Princesa (PPS) and El Nido (ENI). The main flight routes to El Nido are from Manila or Cebu City.
Check out our Complete Guide to Visiting El Nido, Palawan!
Puerto Princesa Airport to Coron
There are two options to get to Coron from Puerto Princesa Airport - flying, or taking ground transport to El Nido and then a ferry to Coron island.
Ground transport to El Nido and then the subsequent ferry to Coron each take 5 hours. The entire journey may take 12+ hours when accounting for wait times, purchasing tickets and intermediary transport. After your ground transport to El Nido (suggested companies listed above), you'll make your way to El Nido port. There are two ferry companies operating routes from El Nido to Coron - it's recommended to purchase tickets in advance as they do fill up:
| El Nido to Coron, Palawan | Atienza | Montenegro |
| Departure Time: | 12:30 | 12:00 |
| Travel Duration: | 5 hours | 5 hours |
| Frequency: | Daily (excluding Wed/Sun) | Daily |
Most flight routes from Puerto Princesa Airport to Coron are all routed through Manila or Cebu, which unfortunately means the trip duration is often 6+ hours. Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, AirSWIFT and Philippine Airlines offer these routes. Flights from Puerto Princesa (PPS) to Coron (USU) typically cost $100-200, or 4,000-8,000 PHP.
The only airline offering direct flights between El Nido and Coron is AirSWIFT. The route is only offered on a couple days per week. This is a valid option for those prone to sea sickness during boat transportation.
Check out our Complete Guide to Beautiful Coron, Palawan!
Manila to Puerto Princesa Airport
Flights from Manila (MNL) to Pureto Princesa Airport (PPS) are offered by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Cebgo.
There are a few ferry operators that offer routes from Manila to PPS, which can be found on 2GO Travel.
Hotels near Puerto Princesa Airport
There are many hotel options near Pureto Princesa Airport, most within a 5-10 minute drive from PPS.
- Best Mid-Range with Breakfast: A&A Plaza Hotel
- Best Affordable Stay: Mongki's Pensionhouse
- Closest to PPS: Golden Pension House
- Best Resort: Aziza Paradise Hotel
What to do in Puerto Princesa
The main attraction of the city is Puerto Princesa Underground River. This is located 1.5 hours away from Pureto Princesa Airport, so a tour here will take up a full day. It is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site and is not to be missed.
If you have limited time in the city, check out these other destinations closer to town proper:
- Honda Bay island hopping
- Baker's Hill
- Palawan Wildlife Rescue (Crocodile Farm)
- Palawan Butterfly Garden
- Mitra's Ranch
- Puerto Princesa Baywalk
- Immaculate Conception Cathedral
You can visit many of these spots and more in a half-day tour offered by Get Your Guide.
Conclusion
Puerto Princesa International Airport proudly serves as the main gateway to the beautiful Philippine island of Palawan. If you fly into Palawan, it will most likely be through Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS). El Nido and Coron airports are much smaller and have limited availability compared to the newly renovated Puerto Princesa Airport.