Palawan · about 75 minutes in the air
Private flight from Puerto Princesa to Coron
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) to Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga) (USU). Whole aircraft from ₱187,500 ($3,100), up to 3 passengers.
Puerto Princesa and Coron sit at opposite ends of Palawan's reach, and the surface options between them are not really an option at all. There is no straightforward road or single ferry: getting there by scheduled means usually costs a full day, either riding an El Nido-bound van and picking up the open-water ferry from there, or backtracking through Manila and out again on a second flight. Either way, a hop that looks short on the map turns into most of a day spent in transit, and sometimes an unplanned night along the way.
A private aircraft closes that gap directly, in around 75 minutes. The route heads up the coast past the reefs and inlets of northern Palawan and descends into Francisco B. Reyes Airport on Busuanga, about 30 to 45 minutes by road from Coron town, where vans meet arriving flights. For a trip that would otherwise eat an entire travel day, that is the whole flight time, gate to gate — no ferry terminal queue, no overnight stop, and no second flight back through Manila to plan around.
This leg flies on a Puerto Princesa-based operator's Cessna 182, priced for the whole aircraft rather than by seat, so a family or small group narrows the per-person gap fast against the alternative of an extra hotel night spent waiting on transport. The booking itself is a request: the operator confirms availability, usually within hours, and nothing is charged until then. Because Puerto Princesa and Coron are the two ends of the network rather than stops along one road, this is one of the pairs a light aircraft genuinely replaces rather than merely shortens.
Puerto Princesa, Palawan to Coron (Busuanga), Palawan: your options compared
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private aircraft (Avian) | About 75 min | ₱187,500 | Whole aircraft, up to 3 passengers; lands at the airport. |
| Ferry via El Nido, or via Manila | A full day | Lowest | No single direct surface or sea route; both options cost most of a day. |
| Scheduled airline | — | — | No direct scheduled service; connections route through Manila. |
| Seaplane charter | — | Quote only | Horizon Sun Charters lands on water; up to 6 passengers. |
Flight time is a typical block time for the aircraft shown and is confirmed at booking; surface times are typical and vary with weather and season.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the price per person or per aircraft?
- Per aircraft. The price shown covers the whole aircraft from Puerto Princesa to Coron for up to the passenger limit on the price card, so splitting it between travellers is where charter starts to make sense.
- How much luggage can we bring?
- Each price card shows the aircraft's total luggage allowance in kilograms. Light aircraft take soft bags far more easily than hard cases; if you are travelling with dive gear, a surfboard or camera cases, mention it when you book and the operator will confirm it fits.
- How far in advance do we need to book?
- A booking on Avian is a request: the operator confirms availability, usually within hours, and you then receive a secure payment link by email. Nothing is charged until the operator has confirmed. Same-day flights are sometimes possible; a few days' notice is safer in peak season.
- What happens at the airport?
- Charter departures use the small general-aviation side of the airport. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure, meet the crew, and walk to the aircraft. There are no boarding groups and no long security queues.
- What if the weather turns?
- Light aircraft fly in visual conditions, so heavy weather can move a departure. If the operator needs to change your time they will propose a new one and you accept or decline it from your booking link; a flight that cannot operate is not charged.
- Can children and infants fly?
- Yes. Every person on board, including an infant on a lap, counts towards the aircraft's passenger limit, so choose your passenger count accordingly when you search.
- How far is the airport from Coron town?
- Francisco B. Reyes Airport is on Busuanga Island, about 30 to 45 minutes by road from Coron town; vans meet every arrival.
- Can we fly on to El Nido the same way?
- Yes. Coron to El Nido is a separate priced leg of about 30 minutes, and El Nido to Puerto Princesa is also available. Both have their own pages.