Exploring Palawan's Airport Options: A Comprehensive Guide

Palawan, the westernmost province in the Philippines, is home to several airports catering to both international and domestic flights. The main gateway to Palawan is the Puerto Princesa International Airport, located just 2km from the city centre. In addition to this, there are several other airports in the region, including the Francisco B. Reyes Airport, the El Nido Airport, and the San Vicente Airport. These airports serve the beautiful beaches and seawater of Palawan, making it a popular tourist destination easily accessible by air.

Airports in Palawan, Philippines

Puerto Princesa International Airport is 13km from Palawan

The Puerto Princesa International Airport is the main gateway to Palawan, the westernmost province in the Philippines. The airport is located just 2km from the centre of Puerto Princesa, 3km from the city centre, to be precise. This means that the airport is approximately 13km from Palawan.

The airport is classified as an international airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. It is also a gateway to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The airport is known for its comfortable arrival and departure facilities, including air-conditioned lounges, smoking rooms, food and drinks outlets, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and souvenir shops. It also offers a range of transfer services such as tricycles, jeepneys, taxis, minivans, buses, and car rental agencies. The distance from the airport to the city centre is short, making transportation quick and convenient.

The history of the airport is also quite intriguing. It was built by American prisoners of war during World War II from August 1942 to September 1944. The airfield was constructed by hand using crushed corals for illuminating night landings. Unfortunately, on December 14, 1944, a tragic event occurred where occupying Japanese soldiers killed American POWs who had constructed the airstrip. After the liberation of Palawan in April 1945, the airport was rehabilitated and expanded by US Army and Navy engineers.

Francisco B. Reyes Airport is 294km from Palawan

The Francisco B. Reyes Airport, also known as Busuanga Airport, is located on Busuanga Island in the province of Palawan, Philippines. It is approximately 294km from the main island of Palawan. The airport serves the general area of Coron and is shared with the neighbouring municipality of Busuanga, located on the western half of the island.

Francisco B. Reyes Airport is classified as a Class 2 principal (minor domestic) airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. It is a small airport, with a terminal building of just 1,750 square metres, and a runway that is too short for jet aircraft. The airport is surrounded by fields and jungle, and only propeller planes can land there. Luggage is handled manually, and passengers walk down steps onto the runway.

The airport offers basic facilities, including a few coffee shops, restaurants and souvenir shops. However, it lacks air conditioning, so passengers are advised to dress lightly for their flight. There are also a number of hotels and resorts nearby that offer shuttle van services to and from the airport.

Francisco B. Reyes Airport is the target of two expansion projects. The first expansion, funded in part by a US$3 million loan from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), included the construction of a new terminal building and the completion of the airport's concrete runway. A second expansion, funded by the national government, aims to make the airport capable of supporting large jet aircraft and nighttime operations.

The airport is named after Francisco B. Reyes, the mayor of Coron from 1936 to 1939, who donated the land that forms the current airport complex. It is accessible by a 40-minute drive from Coron Town, and transfer services are available by minivan to Coron Town and hotels along the coast.

El Nido Airport is 95.2 miles from Palawan

Palawan is an island in the Philippines that is home to several airports. The Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) is the main airport in Palawan and is located 2 km east of the city centre. The airport is served by local airlines such as Cebu Pacific, Philippines Airlines, and AirAsia, with arrivals mostly from Cebu and Manila.

Another airport in Palawan is the Francisco B. Reyes Airport, formerly known as Busuanga Airport. The airport serves the general population of Coron and was renamed after the former mayor of Coron, who donated the land on which the airport was built.

The San Vicente Airport is a relatively new airport that was opened in 2017 to boost tourism in the town of San Vicente.

El Nido Airport, also known as Lio Airport, is a concrete airstrip owned and operated by AirSWIFT. The airport is located in El Nido, at the very north end of Palawan Island. El Nido is quite remote and, until a few years ago, it used to take up to 24 hours to get there from Puerto Princesa, Palawan's main city, which is 230 km away. Nowadays, it is much easier to reach El Nido, although it is still not the most accessible place.

The distance between El Nido Airport and Palawan is approximately 178 miles, and the road distance is about 178.3 miles. The journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido can be made by van, car, bus, motorbike, or plane. Taking a van from the Puerto Princesa airport to the El Nido bus terminal is the most common way to get to El Nido. The van transfer takes between 4:30 and 6 hours, depending on the time of day, and costs around P600 to P700.

For those seeking a more personalised journey, renting a car or motorbike is also an option. This allows travellers to make stops in villages, enjoy the countryside views, and explore the region at their own pace. However, it is important to note that parking in El Nido is limited, so it is recommended to choose accommodation that offers parking facilities.

Another option for travelling between Puerto Princesa and El Nido is by bus. Two companies operate this route daily: Cherry Bus and Roro Bus. The journey may vary in time due to stopovers, and it is recommended to opt for buses equipped with air conditioning and spacious seats.

Finally, travellers can also take a taxi from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, which is the fastest way to cover the 177.2-mile distance, although it is the most expensive option, costing between $75 and $90.

San Vicente Airport opened in 2017 to boost tourism

Palawan, the westernmost province in the Philippines, is known for its beautiful beaches, seawater, and the iconic Underground River. The Puerto Princesa International Airport acts as the main gateway to Palawan, serving both international and domestic flights. However, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for air transportation in the province, leading to the development of additional airports.

One such airport is the San Vicente Airport, which opened in 2017 with the primary goal of boosting tourism in the town of San Vicente. The airport was inaugurated on May 10, 2018, by officials from the Department of Transportation, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the provincial government of Palawan. The opening of this airport was highly anticipated, with the local government aiming to attract 100,000 tourists to the area in 2018.

The construction of the San Vicente Airport began in 2009, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announcing the plan to build the airport in 2006. The airport was designed to enhance tourism in the town and provide an alternative to the smaller El Nido Airport. The project included the construction of a passenger terminal, a fire station, and an elevated water tank, with a total cost of ₱62.7 million.

The San Vicente Airport officially opened for general aviation flights on June 22, 2017, and started accommodating commercial flights by the end of that year. The airport features a concrete runway measuring 1,803 meters long and 45 meters wide. While the current runway can handle aircraft like the Airbus A220, there are plans for a future extension of 300 meters, which will allow it to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A320.

The opening of the San Vicente Airport has significantly reduced travel time between Puerto Princesa and San Vicente, cutting down the three-hour land journey to less than 30 minutes by air. This improved accessibility is expected to further boost tourism in the area, making it easier for both domestic and international visitors to explore the natural wonders of Palawan.

Cesar Lim Rodriguez Airport is a civil airfield in Taytay-Sandoval

There are four airports in Palawan, Philippines. One of them is Cesar Lim Rodriguez Airport, commonly known as Taytay Airport or Sandoval Airport. It is a civil airfield in Taytay-Sandoval, located near the city of Taytay in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. The airport is named after a Taytay native, Cesar Lim Rodriguez, a former judge who donated part of his property for the airport. The facility is owned by the province of Palawan.

The airport is in a strategic location in the northern part of the Palawan mainland. The renowned beach resorts of the area, including El Nido and Apulit Island, and the historic town of Taytay are only 30 to 40 kilometers by road from the airport. The only other airport capable of handling large aircraft in the area is located in the provincial capital of Puerto Princesa, approximately 230 kilometers to the south.

In 2013, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) approved a budget of ₱48.2 million for the airport's improvement, which included concreting a runway 1,100 meters long and 18 meters wide. In February 2016, the Palawan Provincial Board approved a resolution to permit the semi-privatization of the airport through a public-private partnership (PPP). The DOTC allotted ₱8.8 million for the airport's development for 2016.

The airport has one runway, 2/20, and its ICAO airport code is RPSD, while its IATA code is RZP. The nearby airfields are Limanancong, El Nido, Bato Airport, San Vicente Airport, and Culion Airport. The airport is located at latitude 11.05081 and longitude 119.51930, and it is elevated 80 meters above sea level.

Cesar Lim Rodriguez Airport does not publish a METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report), and the nearest weather station is Puerto Princesa International Airport / PAF Antonio Bautista Air Base, which is 168 km away. The flight information region (FIR) is Manila, and the airport is in the Asia/Manila timezone, UTC+8.

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