Insider Spotlight
The rehabilitation program includes runway repainting, inspection activities, rubber removal, and crack repair to maintain optimal runway surface conditions.
“As the operator of Laguindingan International Airport, we take a proactive approach to maintaining and improving critical airside infrastructure,” said AIC vice president and head of airports Rafael M. Aboitiz.
“These runway enhancements reflect our ongoing responsibility to ensure that the airport remains capable of supporting current operations while preparing for future demand,” he said.
Why it matters
LIA is the country’s seventh-busiest airport and the second-busiest gateway in Mindanao, making it a vital hub for regional mobility, tourism, and commerce.
Maintaining runway quality helps ensure safe and reliable aircraft operations while supporting the airport’s ability to handle growing passenger and cargo traffic in Northern Mindanao.
The maintenance works were conducted in coordination with aviation authorities to align with national safety and operational standards while minimizing disruption to airport operations.
“Sustaining airport infrastructure is an ongoing process that relies on cooperation between regulators and airport operators,” said Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines director-general Lieutenant-General Raul L. Del Rosario, AFP (Ret.).
“Continued coordination across stakeholders helps ensure that facilities like Laguindingan International Airport remain well-maintained and capable of supporting the region’s growing connectivity needs,” Del Rosario said.
The details
According to a company statement, the runway improvements translate directly into smoother takeoffs and landings and more reliable airport services for passengers.
The upgrades also support the airport’s role as a regional service hub that facilitates business activity, tourism flows, and logistics access across Northern Mindanao.
Zoom out
The project forms part of AIC Airports’ broader strategy to strengthen infrastructure across its growing network of Philippine gateways.
Alongside Laguindingan International Airport, the group also operates and develops Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Bohol-Panglao International Airport.
Together, these gateways served around 16 million passengers by end-2025, accounting for over 20 percent of the country’s passenger traffic.
Looking ahead
AIC Airports is undertaking modernization programs for Laguindingan and Bohol-Panglao airports, with projects rolling out from 2025 under concession agreements awarded by the government in 2024, aiming to enhance connectivity, support tourism, and boost regional economic growth. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
