THE infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group is expanding its airport operation after securing its second airport public-private partnership (PPP) project — the P4.53-billion upgrade, operation and maintenance of Bohol Panglao International Airport.
Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC) received the notice of award from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines last November 18. The 30-year concession agreement will be signed by end-2024.
“Our commitment to modernizing the Bohol-Panglao International Airport underscores our vision of creating world-class infrastructure that enables progress in key growth areas of the Philippines. This project is not just about upgrading facilities but also about boosting economic opportunities, enhancing tourism, and improving connectivity in the Visayas region, and we are excited to be a part of this initiative,” said Cosette Canilao, AIC president and chief executive officer, in a statement.
By next year, AIC will begin introducing operational efficiencies and investments to increase the capacity to 2.5 million passengers per annum (mppa) within one to two years of operations, from the existing 2 mppa.
AIC is expected to complete the capacity expansion by 2030 to raise the gateway’s capacity to 3.9 mppa.
These investments will enhance the passenger experience, improve operational efficiency and elevate the airport’s safety and security standards, aligning with its vision of creating globally competitive airports that showcase the best of the Philippines, AIC said.
This is the second successful airport PPP project awarded by the government to AIC this year via an unsolicited bid, after Laguindingan International Airport.
This further expansion of AIC’s airports portfolio into Visayas, where the Aboitiz Group traces its roots, further solidifies its position as a key player in the Philippine aviation sector.
AIC said this also marks its third gateway after the award-winning Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, and Laguindingan International Airport in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, whose concession it recently signed.
The proposed Bohol-Panglao International Airport project, the country’s ninth-busiest gateway, involves expanding the passenger terminal building, installing essential equipment and modernizing airside and landside facilities.
“Bohol-Panglao International Airport is a fast-growing gateway to one of the Philippines’ most emerging and iconic tourism destinations, and we are honored to play a role in elevating its stature. Through this project, we aim to bring the same level of excellence and innovation that we are demonstrating with Mactan-Cebu International Airport,” said Rafael Aboitiz,
AIC head of Airports Business.
Based on the DOTr’s timeline, the deadline for the fulfillment of requirements under the notice of award is on December 11, while the target turnover of the facility is on June 22, 2025.
AIC Airports currently consists of MCIA, the country’s second-busiest gateway and whose Terminal 2 holds a 4-star rating from aviation consultancy Skytrax, and soon Laguindingan International Airport, the country’s sixth-busiest gateway, when AIC takes over by April 2025.
