Bicol International Airport

Bicol International Airport
Tugpahanang Pangkalibutan ng Bikol
Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Bikol
Pankinàban na Palayogan kan Bikol
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
Serves Legazpi, Bicol Region
Location Daraga, Albay
Coordinates 13°06′44″N 123°40′38″E / 13.11222°N 123.67722°E / 13.11222; 123.67722Coordinates: 13°06′44″N 123°40′38″E / 13.11222°N 123.67722°E / 13.11222; 123.67722
Map
Bicol International
Location in the Philippines
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
Asphalt

Bicol International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Bikol, Bikol: Pankinàban na Palayogan kan Bikol, Cebuano:Tugpahanang Pangkalibutan ng Bikol) is an under-construction international airport that will serve Legazpi, the capital city of Albay and the regional center of Bicol Region, in the Philippines.

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. Some sources name the airport Southern Luzon International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Katimogang Luzon, Cebuano:Tugpahanang Pangkalibutan ng Katimogang Luzon). It will replace the old Legazpi Airport, which is only 2 to 3 kilometers from the volcano.

Background

Bicol International Airport was in planning since early 2006,[1] when officials discussed the feasibility of an international airport in Legazpi. During March 4 and 5, 2006, officials in Daraga, where the airport would be constructed, discussed with the barangay captains of barangays Alobo, Inarado, Kinawitan, Burgos 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.

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

In July 2007, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC; now simply Department of Transportation), to fast-track the paperwork on the planned new airport.[2] President Macapagal-Arroyo released ₱85 million for its advance engineering study.[3] Tourism secretary Ace Durano has assured the allotment of ₱250 million for the purchase of land. As of November 2007, pre-construction activities such as the feasibility study and site development plan have been completed. The construction contract has been bid for.[4]

The airport was originally scheduled for completion in 2014.[5] However, due to a construction delay, the project was expected to be finished at an unspecified date before 2016.[6] In June 2015, it was reported that the construction is 47% done and would be finished in July 2017,[7] but in July 2016 it was reported that the construction would be delayed further and would be finished in August 2018.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

Confirmed routes and airlines

AirlinesDestinations
Cebu Pacific Manila
Cebu Pacific
operated by Cebgo 		Cebu
Philippine Airlines
operated by PAL Express 		Cebu,[11] Manila

Incidents and accidents

  • On January 10, 2018, seven months before the scheduled completion of the airport, 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.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Talks to construct airport under way Archived 2007-11-08 at the Wayback Machine., Manila Times, 7 March 2006
  2. ↑ PGMA orders DOTC to fast-track preparations for Legazpi City's new airport 'on the plateau', Information Agency, 3 July 2007
  3. ↑ PGMA's Speech during the Infra Conference for Central Philippines Super Region Archived 2007-10-15 at the Wayback Machine., Office of the President, 13 July 2007
  4. ↑ Daraga international airport’s construction in full steam, Manila Standard Today, 14 November 2007
  5. ↑ "Roxas approves P2b for new Bicol airport". Manila Standard. 26 May 2012. Archived from the original on 28 June 2012.
  6. ↑ Adolfo, Jae Denise (19 December 2014). "DOTC allocates P780.9 million for Bicol International Airport". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "Bicol International Airport to Become Operational in 2017". Philippine Flight Network. June 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  8. ↑ "Completion of Bicol International Airport Delayed to August 2018". Philippine Flight Network. July 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  9. ↑ Jiao, Diane Claire J. (14 September 2012). "Budget for DoTC's PPP projects released". BusinessWorld Online. BusinessWorld Online Corp. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  10. ↑ Mier, Ma. April (29 September 2017). "NPA rebels burn 11 heavy equipment at Bicol International Airport". Inquirer.net. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  11. ↑ https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/~/media/files/flighttimetable/domestic%20summer%20august%2010%202017.pdf?la=en
  12. ↑ 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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