Airport upgrades to lead to lower airfares – DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) intends to accelerate the upgrade of local airports nationwide to be able to lower airfares while accepting larger airplanes that can carry more passengers.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said they are prioritizing runway extensions, particularly at airports where longer runways would allow airlines to operate larger aircraft capable of carrying more passengers.

“For our new airports, we have set a minimum runway length of 2,100 meters. This ensures the runway is ready to handle large aircraft. After all, larger aircraft generally lead to lower airfares,” Lopez said.

One of the projects nearing completion is the expansion of Busuanga Airport in Coron, Palawan, a key gateway to one of the country’s premier tourist destinations. DOTr expects completion of its 2,100-meter runway by early 2027.

The airport’s passenger terminal will be expanded. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) deputy director-general Danjun Lucas said the new terminal will have an increased seating capacity from 300 to 1,500 passengers.

Lopez has directed CAAP to construct a modular passenger terminal building next year, which officials said could provide a faster and more cost-effective way of expanding airport capacity.

“We are utilizing a new innovation here—what we call a modular terminal building. It is modular in terms of construction, yet well-built, durable, environmentally friendly, more cost-effective and, indeed, easier to construct,” Lucas said.

In Siargao, DOTr and CAAP are working on plans to extend the airport’s runway despite significant geographical constraints, with mangroves on one side and mountains on the other limiting the available space for expansion. Preliminary studies indicate the runway would need an additional 500 to 700 meters to accommodate the planned expansion.

Lopez also ordered the CAAP to implement a short-term measure through the installation of portable runway lights. The move would allow aircraft to depart from Siargao after sunset, effectively extending airport operating hours and creating opportunities for additional flights.

“When more flights operate in an area, airfares naturally go down due to the increased volume,” Lopez said.

Laguindingan Airport is also undergoing expansion as passenger demand continues to grow. The airport now handles about 2 million passengers annually, exceeding its original design capacity of 1.6 million.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC), the airport’s private concessionaire, plans to increase the airport’s capacity from 3.9 million to 6.3 million passengers as air travel demand in Northern Mindanao continues to rise.

Meanwhile, government is also fast-tracking the completion of Bukidnon Airport to provide the province with direct air connectivity. At present, travelers heading to Bukidnon generally have to pass through Laguindingan Airport before undertaking a roughly three-hour land journey to the province.

The airport is expected to be completed by December 2026 and will initially be capable of accommodating turboprop aircraft. Its extended runway is projected for completion in the second quarter of 2027.