The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is accelerating the expansion and modernization of major airports nationwide, a policy drive designed to accommodate larger aircraft, raise passenger volumes, and bring down airfares for travelers and commuters. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the department is prioritizing runway extensions across key sites, noting that longer runways enable airlines to operate bigger, more efficient planes that help lower travel costs. As official policy, all new airports will feature a minimum 2,100-meter runway, a standard set to ensure readiness for large commercial aircraft and support more competitive pricing.
Busuanga Airport in Coron, Palawan—critical gateway to one of the country’s top tourism spots—is among the projects nearing completion, with its 2,100-meter runway on track to open by the first quarter of 2027. Its passenger terminal will also be significantly expanded, rising from 300 to 1,500 seats, while a new modular terminal building will be constructed next year to add capacity faster and at lower cost. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Deputy Director General Danjun Lucas explained the modular design balances durability, environmental sustainability, and speed of delivery.
In Siargao, officials are advancing plans to extend the runway by 500 to 700 meters despite tight geographical constraints between mangroves and mountains. While long-term work proceeds, Lopez has ordered portable runway lights installed to allow evening flights, extending operating hours and unlocking more travel options—changes officials say will boost competition and push fares lower. Laguindingan Airport, serving Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao, is also expanding as demand outgrows its original design; concessionaire Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. will lift capacity from 3.9 million to 6.3 million passengers annually to meet rising travel needs.
The government is also rushing completion of Bukidnon Airport, scheduled for December 2026 to give the province direct air links and eliminate the roughly three-hour overland trip from Laguindingan Airport currently required. Initially serving turboprop aircraft, its extended runway will follow in the second quarter of 2027. Lopez described 2027 as a banner year for the department, with these and other major transport projects set to finish, delivering better connectivity, more choices, and fairer fares across the country.
