Bicol International Airport starts commercial operations

The Bicol International Airport (BIA) began commercial operations on Friday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

Located in Daraga, Albay, the BIA was inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on October 7.

The airport project underwent a 24/7 construction since last year upon Tugade’s directive.

Tugade said he made a personal commitment to finish the BIA, after 13 years of delay, despite criticisms and doubts after it broke ground on December 8, 2016.

Duterte, for his part, said the BIA is yet another milestone in the Build, Build, Build Program —the administration’s flagship infrastructure initiative aimed at creating greater connectivity and mobility as well as more jobs to boost economic activities in other regions.

“This airport, dubbed as the ‘Most Scenic Gateway’ in the country, promises to provide unforgettable travel experience, not only for visitors but many Bicolanos,” Duterte said.

“I am confident that once fully operational, this airport will be able to serve the needs of those which is expected—two million passengers annually and provide efficiency, reliability and safety standards to ensure the modern airport,” the chief executive said.

Tugade said the BIA is now night-rated and will start night operations in November.

With the iconic Mayon Volcano as its backdrop, the BIA will offer domestic and international passengers contactless properties that are innovative solutions during the pandemic, making airport travel effortless, safe, and convenient, according to the DOTr.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the BIA has tapped the services of the developer of the Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga, which will equip the BIA with the same high-technology features of the CRK, including contactless baggage handling and a food ordering system in the near future.

The BIA can accommodate two million passengers annually and is expected to boost air traffic in the Bicol Region.

Tugade said that the BIA will transform Bicol Region into an “economic powerhouse” and provide economic, tourism and employment benefits to its neighboring provinces once it starts operations.  — VBL, GMA News