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Bicol International Airport

Coordinates: 13°06′44″N 123°40′38″E / 13.11222°N 123.67722°E / 13.11222; 123.67722
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Region V International Airport

Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Bikol
Pankinàban na Palayogan kan Bikol
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorCivil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
ServesLegazpi, Albay
LocationBrgy. Alobo, Daraga, Albay
Opened7 October 2021 (3 years ago) (2021-10-07)
Coordinates13°06′44″N 123°40′38″E / 13.11222°N 123.67722°E / 13.11222; 123.67722
Map
LGP/RPLP is located in Philippines
LGP/RPLP
LGP/RPLP
Location in the Philippines
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
05/23 2,500 8,202 Asphalt

Bicol International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Bikol; Bikol: Pankinàban na Palayogan kan Bikol; IATA: LGP, ICAO: RPLP), also referred by some sources as Southern Luzon International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Katimogang Luzon), is a major international airport in the Bicol Region, serving the vicinity of Legazpi, the capital city of Albay and the regional center of Bicol Region, in the Philippines. The airport still has the IATA and ICAO code of the old Legazpi Airport, despite being located in nearby Daraga.

Dubbed as the Philippines' "Most Scenic Gateway",[1] the airport is located in Daraga, an adjacent municipality of Legazpi. The ₱3.5 billion project is on a 200-hectare plateau 15 kilometers from Mayon Volcano. It replaced the old Legazpi Airport, which is only 2 to 3 kilometers from the volcano.

First planned in 1996 with initial construction beginning in 2008, the construction was repeatedly delayed until the airport was inaugurated and opened on October 7, 2021. It is expected to handle an estimated 2.2 million passengers every year.[2]

History

Planning

The plan for an international airport in Legazpi started in 1996.[3] On March 4 and 5, 2006, officials in Daraga, where the airport would be constructed, discussed with the barangay captains and Leaders of barangays Alobo, Inarado, Kinawitan, Burgos, Martos territory, Velasco Hacienda, and Mabini over the conversion of agricultural lands into industrial lands for the airport. It is estimated to occupy at least 2 square kilometres of land, and many families could be displaced from the construction.[4]

It will be the first international airport to be built in Bicolandia and, according to Daraga Mayor Gerry Rodrigueza Jaucian, would be a testament to economic growth in the region and of the dreams of Bicolanos, as shown in the following excerpt from the Manila Times: "We’re grateful to the President for fulfilling the Bicolanos’ dream to have an international airport. This is the realization of our quest to become one of the booming regions in the country."

Construction and delays

In July 2007, ordered the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC; now simply Department of Transportation), to fast-track the paperwork on the planned new airport.[5] Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo released ₱85 million for its advance engineering study.[6] Tourism secretary Ace Durano has assured the allotment of ₱250 million for the purchase of land.

The airport was originally scheduled for completion in 2014.[7] However, due to a construction delay, the project was expected to be finished at an unspecified date before 2016.[8] In June 2015, it was reported that the construction is 47% done and would be finished in July 2017,[9] but in July 2016 it was reported that the construction would be delayed further and would be finished in August 2018.[10]

In September 2012, the Department of Budget and Management released ₱4.6 billion to support the public-private partnership (PPP) projects of the DoTC. Of the total, the airport will receive ₱2 billion to develop and fund the engineering of runways and taxiways.[11]

The construction was fast-tracked under the Duterte administration through the Build! Build! Build! Infrastructure Program. The groundbreaking ceremony of the airport was held on December 8, 2016,[12] with the construction of landside facilities that began in the same year.[3]

On the night of September 28, 2017, people suspected to be members of the New People's Army committed arson to 11 heavy equipments that were used for the airport's construction.[13]

After a delay in construction for more than a decade, Bicol International Airport was confirmed to be 50% complete in August 2018, with construction works in the runway, taxi apron, and perimeter fence being completed.[14] By January 2020, the airport was confirmed to be 62% complete, with the airport slated for completion by July 2020.[15] However, the July 2020 completion was delayed.

Opening

The airport was inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte on October 7, 2021, and was opened on the same day, marking the start of operations in the airport.[2][1] For the meantime, the airport will handle domestic operations, and will start international operations by November 7.[16][17]

On October 8, 2021, the very first commercial flight, Philippine Airlines Flight 2923, a Dash 8 Q400 departing from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, landed at the airport.[18] Cebu Pacific also started operating flights at the airport on the same day.[19]

Airport facilities

Terminal building

The airport terminal, which was part of Package 2B for the project, was built and handled by E.M. Cuerpo construction. It has two levels and features self-service check-in kiosks aside from the check-in counters, two airbridges, and a lounge at the airport lobby.[20]

Runway

The airport has a 2,500-meter (8,200 ft) asphalt runway that runs in a 05/23 direction.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
Cebgo Cebu, Manila
Cebu Pacific Manila[19]
PAL Express Cebu,[21] Manila

Incidents and accidents

  • On January 10, 2018, a Gulfstream G200 jet carrying six employees of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas overshot the airport's runway while attempting to make an emergency landing. All six passengers were safe. The jet was scheduled to land at the older Legazpi Airport, but strong wind that struck the aircraft forced the pilot to land at the unfinished airport.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Parrocha, Azer (October 7, 2021). "Duterte opens PH's 'most scenic' airport in Bicol". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Quismorio, Ellson (October 7, 2021). "Duterte leads inauguration of Bicol int'l airport, 'most scenic' in PH". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Abadilla, Emmie V. (October 5, 2021). "P5-B Bicol international airport starts domestic operation Oct. 7". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Barcia, Rhaydz B. (March 7, 2006). "Talks to construct airport under way". Manila Times. Archived from the original on November 8, 2007.
  5. ^ "PGMA orders DOTC to fast-track preparations for Legazpi City's new airport 'on the plateau'". Philippine Information Agency. July 3, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  6. ^ "PGMA's Speech during the Infra Conference for Central Philippines Super Region". Office of the President. July 13, 2007. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007.
  7. ^ "Roxas approves P2b for new Bicol airport". Manila Standard. May 26, 2012. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012.
  8. ^ Adolfo, Jae Denise (December 19, 2014). "DOTC allocates P780.9 million for Bicol International Airport". BusinessMirror. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  9. ^ "Bicol International Airport to Become Operational in 2017". Philippine Flight Network. June 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  10. ^ "Completion of Bicol International Airport Delayed to August 2018". Philippine Flight Network. July 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  11. ^ Jiao, Diane Claire J. (September 14, 2012). "Budget for DoTC's PPP projects released". BusinessWorld Online Corp. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  12. ^ Velasquez, Caleb (December 8, 2016). "President Duterte leads groundbreaking ceremony for Bicol International Airport development". Update Philippines. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  13. ^ Mier, Ma. April (September 29, 2017). "NPA rebels burn 11 heavy equipment at Bicol International Airport". Inquirer.net. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Valdez, Denise A. (August 28, 2018). "Bicol airport hits 50% completion, remains on track for 2020 opening". BusinessWorld. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Quadra-Balibay, Aurora (January 11, 2020). "LOOK: Bicol's most scenic gateway to Mayon Volcano opens in Albay this July 2020". Good News Pilipinas. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  16. ^ Arguelles, Mar S. (October 7, 2021). "New Bicol International Airport opens after 11-year construction". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  17. ^ "Bicol International Airport to start domestic operations on Oct. 7". CNN Philippines. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  18. ^ "LOOK: Very first commercial flight from the new Bicol International Airport". AirTravller PH. October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Abadilla, Emmie V. (October 8, 2021). "CEB starts operating at Bicol International Airport". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  20. ^ Montano, Kim. "Bicol Welcomes the World: Welcome to the newly constructed Bicol Int'l Airport". Pinoy Builders. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  21. ^ "Oops! Looks like the site is currently undergoing maintenance" (PDF). www.philippineairlines.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 20, 2018.
  22. ^ Barcia, Rhaydz (January 10, 2018). "Plane carrying Bangko Sentral employees makes emergency landing at Bicol airport". The Manila Times. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
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