MANILA -- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has given Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC) the green light on its proposal for the operations and maintenance of Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.
In a statement on Monday, the AIC said its unsolicited proposal was granted original proponent status (OPS) by the CAAP last February 26.
“The granting of the OPS for the Laguindingan Airport opens up an opportunity for us to play a major role in improving our country’s vital gateways. We look forward to progressing beyond project development, and into project execution and operations in 2019,” AIC Chief Operating Officer Cosette Canilao said.
The PHP42.7-billion project involves capacity augmentation through expansion or construction of new passenger terminals, installation of required equipment, and enhancement and development of airside facilities.
The company has selected multinational design and engineering firm Arup as consultant on the technical studies and master plan for its proposal on the development of the airport.
For its part, the business sector in Northern Mindanao expects that the upgrade and rehabilitation of the Laguindingan Airport will help promote the growth of investments and development of various industries in the region, particularly tourism.
“The airport is a very important factor. We are excited to know that Aboitiz got the OPS. It took us 20 years before this airport was built. We don’t want to wait another 20 years for its expansion,” Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries Region 10 Governor Ghaye Alegrio said.
Data from the CAAP show that around two million passengers have passed through the Laguindingan Airport last year which exceeded its passenger capacity of 1.6 million passengers per year since it started operations in 2013.
Alegrio noted that passenger traffic is expected to increase within the next few years with more investments coming in.
The airport is also seen to have the opportunity to cater to international flights according to her.
The AIC was earlier granted the OPS by the DOTr on its proposal for the operations and maintenance of the New Bohol International Airport in Panglao Island last September.
AIC, which is the infrastructure business unit of the Aboitiz Group, is also part of the NAIA Consortium which was granted original proponent status by the DOTr and Manila International Airport Authority on its proposal to rehabilitate and expand facilities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. (PNA)
