CAAP upgrading Laguindingan airport to handle int'l flights

The Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental will soon become an international gateway, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) revealed on Tuesday.

 

Work is now in progress to upgrade the facility for regional commercial operations, CAAP Area X Airport Manager Jose Budiongan said.  

 

The airport that currently serves an average of 22 flights to and from Manila, Iloilo, Davao and Cebu-Mactan.

 

Laguindingan, which was mocked as "di malandingan airport" when it started commercial operations in June 2013, is now one of the busiest air transport hubs in northern Mindanao, CAAP noted.

 

The airport serves as the main gateway for Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte. It booked over P100 million in net earnings last year.

 

Budiongan revealed plans to expand Laguindingan's passenger and cargo terminals and parking lot to accommodate a growing number of airport users and in preparation for the regional upgrade.

 

At present, Laguindingan has a single 2,100 meter by 45 meter runway that can handle four takeoffs and landings an hour. The airport accommodates flights from 5 a.m. until midnight. – Keith Richard Mariano/VS, GMA News