Aboitiz set to take over 2 regional airports
The Laguindingan and Bohol airports are to be turned over to the Aboitiz Group in the first half, allowing the new operator to expand the passenger capacity of the gateways to popular tourist destinations.
Transport Undersecretary for Aviation Jim Sydiongco, on the sidelines of an event in Pasay on Monday, said Aboitiz InfraCapital would take over the Laguindingan International Airport this month.
The private concessionaire will also start operating the Bohol-Panglao International Airport by June, he added.
The Aboitiz Group won the contracts to upgrade the regional airports last year.
For the first phase, the Laguindingan airport’s capacity will increase to 3.9 million passengers per annum (mppa) from the current 1.6 mppa. It will be further expanded to 6.3 mppa during the second phase.
The Bohol airport, whose passenger capacity will grow to 3.9 mppa by 2030 from the current 2 mppa, is expected to boost tourism in the Visayas.
Sydiongco, in addition, said they were working on 20 priority commercial airport projects, including Kalibo, Puerto Princesa and Siargao.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also previously identified the Iloilo and Davao hubs as priority projects to boost connectivity in the regions.
Transportation Chief Vivencio Dizon said earlier they would seek advice from the Asian Development Bank and International Finance Corp. to determine the “best way” to realize these projects.
The P21.16-billion Iloilo International Airport project proposed by the Villar Group is in the process of getting approval from the National Economic and Development Authority.
The airport project in Western Visayas includes the expansion of the passenger terminal building and construction of an apron where aircraft can park and refuel, among others.
The bidding process for the Davao International Airport, meanwhile, is slated to start by the first half of this year. Also known as Francisco Bangoy (Davao) International Airport, this gateway is the third busiest airport in the country after Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
