The Department of Transportation said Tuesday the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay is ready to start operations and receive commercial domestic flights on Oct. 7.
“Construction works for the BIA were delayed for 11 years. It went through three groundbreaking ceremonies prior to this administration. While it was being constructed, there were arson incidents. Now, construction of the Bicol International Airport is almost complete,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
The BIA is touted as the country’s “most scenic gateway” with the iconic Mayon Volcano for its backdrop.
The agency said that as of Oct. 3, the overall progress rate of the BIA was at 92.56 percent, with its passenger terminal building now 97.28-percent finished; runway extension, 79.27 percent; administration building, 98.93 percent; air traffic control building, 98.65 percent; crash fire rescue building, 98.40 percent; cargo terminal building, 98.59 percent; and power house building, 98.69 percent.
Meanwhile, the airport’s passenger boarding bridge is targeted to be positioned on Oct. 5, while domestic operations is slated to commence on Oct. 7.
“We are happy to announce that the Bicol International Airport is now nearing completion and will be ready to serve domestic air passengers by Oct. 7. Secretary Tugade and the CAAP are focused on this project and we intend to deliver as promised,” said Danjun Lucas, head of airport projects team at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
“The BIA shall also be ready for international operations by Nov. 7, subject to airline’s application/intent to operate international flights,” he said.
Once fully operational, the BIA is expected to accommodate 2 million passengers a year. Construction of the airport also created 755 jobs with 1,100 more indirect jobs expected to become available once the airport begins commercial operations.