Roberta Aguirre
Legazpi Airport, a major airport in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, was replaced by the new Bicol International Airport in 2021. The old airport, which was only 2-3km away from the new airport, ceased operations on October 7, 2021, with its last flight on the same day. The new airport, constructed to handle larger aircraft and a greater number of passengers, is located in Daraga, a municipality adjacent to Legazpi City. The construction of the Bicol International Airport was first planned in 1996 to address the need for expansion at Legazpi Airport, and the project was fast-tracked under the Duterte administration.
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What You'll Learn
Legazpi Airport closed in 2021
As early as 1996, plans were laid to construct an international airport in the neighbouring municipality of Daraga, which would replace Legazpi Airport. The need for expansion at Legazpi Airport was indicated by a study commissioned by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 1997. The new airport, Bicol International Airport, was slated to open by 2014 but was repeatedly delayed due to various factors, including arson committed by suspected members of the New People's Army in 2017.
Legazpi Airport's last flight was on October 7, 2021, and it closed on the same day. The new Bicol International Airport, inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte, replaced it. Bicol International Airport is located 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from Mayon Volcano and is designed to handle an estimated 2.2 million passengers annually. The new airport features a longer and wider runway, allowing larger aircraft to land.
After its closure, the site of Legazpi Airport is planned to be converted into a business district.
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It was replaced by Bicol International Airport
Legazpi Airport was replaced by the Bicol International Airport, which was inaugurated on October 7, 2021, with operations commencing the following day. The new airport is located in Daraga, a municipality adjacent to Legazpi City, and serves the vicinity of Legazpi, the capital city of Albay and the regional center of the Bicol Region in the Philippines.
The construction of Bicol International Airport was first planned in 1996, with initial construction beginning in 2008. The airport is designed to handle an estimated 2.2 million passengers annually and is expected to be the Philippines' "Most Scenic Gateway." The project cost ₱4.7 billion and is located on a 200-hectare (490-acre) plateau, approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) from Mayon Volcano.
The new airport features a single runway that is 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) long and 45 meters (148 ft) wide, which is longer and wider than the runway at Legazpi Airport. This allows larger aircraft to land at the airport. In addition, the airport is capable of operating at night and is classified as a Class 1 principal domestic airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
The construction of the Bicol International Airport was fast-tracked under the Duterte administration through the Build! Build! Build! infrastructure program. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 8, 2016, and the airport officially opened in 2021, replacing the old Legazpi Airport. The site of the former Legazpi Airport is planned to be converted into a business district.
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The site will be converted into a business district
The site of the former Legazpi Airport will be converted into a business district. The airport, which was a major airport in the Bicol Region, served the capital city of Albay in the Philippines. It was replaced by the Bicol International Airport, which opened in 2021 and is located in the neighbouring municipality of Daraga.
The conversion of the Legazpi Airport site into a business district is part of the region's economic growth plans. The Bicol International Airport itself is a testament to this growth, with Daraga Mayor Gerry Rodrigueza Jaucian stating that it is a "dream" of the Bicolanos. The new airport cost ₱4.7 billion to construct and is expected to handle 2.2 million passengers annually.
The Bicol International Airport is also capable of operating at night and can accommodate larger aircraft due to its longer and wider runway. This is in contrast to the Legazpi Airport, which did not have an instrument landing system, leading to delays and cancellations during inclement weather. The new airport is also equipped with the necessary facilities to handle international air traffic, as highlighted by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's flight to Legazpi from Tokyo in 2001.
The development of the Bicol International Airport and the subsequent conversion of the Legazpi Airport site into a business district are positive steps towards improving the region's infrastructure and economy. The new airport provides improved connectivity and accessibility to the area, while the business district will create new opportunities for commercial and industrial ventures.
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The new airport has a longer runway
The Bicol International Airport, which replaced the old Legazpi Airport in 2021, features a longer runway than its predecessor. At 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) long and 45 meters (148 feet) wide, the new runway is capable of accommodating larger aircraft. This is a significant upgrade from the Legazpi Airport's single runway, which was only 2,280 meters (7,480 feet) long and 36 meters (118 feet) wide.
The longer runway at the Bicol International Airport has several advantages. Firstly, it allows for the operation of larger aircraft, which can increase the airport's capacity and handle a greater volume of passengers and cargo. This is particularly beneficial for the region's economic growth and can attract more tourism and business opportunities.
Additionally, the longer runway enables safer night landings and take-offs. The previous Legazpi Airport lacked an instrument landing system (ILS), which often resulted in flight delays or cancellations during inclement weather conditions. The longer runway at the new airport enhances operational flexibility and reduces disruptions caused by low visibility or adverse weather conditions.
The construction of the Bicol International Airport addressed the need for expansion identified in a 1997 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This study recommended the expansion of four airports in the Philippines, including Legazpi Airport. The new airport is designed to handle an estimated 2.2 million passengers annually and is expected to boost the region's connectivity and accessibility.
The longer runway at the Bicol International Airport not only improves safety and capacity but also contributes to the region's economic development and tourism potential. With its enhanced capabilities, the airport is well-equipped to handle a greater volume of air traffic and provide efficient transportation services to the community it serves.
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It was inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte
The Bicol International Airport, which replaced the old Legazpi Airport, was inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte on October 7, 2021. The airport, located in Daraga, a municipality adjacent to Legazpi City, is designed to handle an estimated 2.2 million passengers annually and is billed as an international airport.
The construction of the Bicol International Airport was fast-tracked under the Duterte administration through the Build! Build! Build! infrastructure program. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on December 8, 2016, with the construction of landside facilities commencing in the same year. The airport was initially supposed to open in 2014 but faced repeated delays.
The new airport has a single runway that is 2,500 meters long and 45 meters wide, allowing larger aircraft to land. It is capable of operating at night and is estimated to occupy around 200 hectares of land. The project cost ₱4.7 billion and is expected to be a testament to the economic growth of the region.
The inauguration of the Bicol International Airport by President Duterte marked the start of operations at the airport, with domestic flights commencing the following day. International flights were expected to begin by November 7, 2021, but as of March 2024, there are still no international flights servicing the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Bicol International Airport, also referred to as Southern Luzon International Airport.
7 October 2021.
It was converted into a business district.
Legazpi Airport needed expansion, and the new airport is larger, with a longer and wider runway, allowing larger aircraft to land.
As early as 1996, with initial construction beginning in 2008.
