Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is exploring a potential partnership with a US-based subsidiary of Cerberus Capital Management for the full development of its international airport.
APECO president and chief executive Gil Taway said the agency is in discussions with US firms for the airport’s full development, including operations and maintenance. He said one prospect connected to Cerberus has expressed strong interest in the project.
The amended Public Service Act has enabled greater foreign participation in infrastructure, allowing international partners to take on broader roles such as operations and maintenance, according to Taway.
He said that while foreign involvement is being explored, the government maintains oversight as it positions the airport as a future gateway for domestic and international flights.
Preparations for domestic operations are underway. The agency is nearing the completion of corrective works on the airport, which are targeted for June, and has already secured funding for the next phase of development.
“We’re finishing corrective measures by June, and we already have the budget,” Taway said.
The agency is set to bid out the construction of a terminal building and an air traffic control tower in April and May. The terminal is allocated about P35 million while the tower is budgeted at P25 million to support 3C operations for smaller turboprop aircraft.
Taway said discussions are ongoing with Cebu Pacific to support the launch of commercial flights, with domestic operations targeted for the second quarter of next year.
International operations are set to begin by 2028 as APECO advances its long-term development plan alongside ongoing talks with foreign partners.
