The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the newly upgraded Antique Airport is expected to help grow local businesses and attract more tourists to the province.
The project is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to modernize airports across the country to improve regional connections and support economic growth. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the DOTr is committed to making air travel faster, safer, and more convenient, especially in the regions.
The new Passenger Terminal Building has greatly expanded the airport’s capacity. It can now handle up to 360 passengers, up from just 64 previously, following the expansion of the terminal from 181 square meters to 2,224 square meters. Check-in counters were also increased from two to six to speed up passenger processing.
Other improvements include a new aircraft ramp that can accommodate up to four jet planes at the same time, with jet operations expected to begin by the fourth quarter of 2026. The control tower was upgraded from three to seven storeys to improve safety and visibility, while new baggage handling and passenger information systems aim to make travel more convenient.
The runway was extended from 1,430 meters to 1,800 meters, allowing the airport to handle jet aircraft. Officials said this upgrade will significantly improve Antique’s connectivity and open more opportunities for tourism and economic development in the province.
