CEZA to open new airport in January 2018

MANILA, Philippines — The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), operator of a freeport zone in Cagayan, is opening a newly built airport next month that would service international and domestic air travel.

This was according to CEZA administrator and CEO Raul Lambino as he welcomed potential investors in CEZA during a recent forum.

The Cagayan North International Airport in the town of Lal-lo, Cagayan is a sprawling facility that can accommodate Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s and whose 2.1- km. runway is set to be extended to eventually accommodate even bigger aircraft, Lambino said.

He said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has already given the green light to operate the Cagayan North International Airport to both chartered and commercial flights.

Its upgrade to a Category-4C airport from the present Category-3C is expected to be handed down soon with the installation of world aviation standard fire and safety equipment.

The upgraded registration will allow wide-body airplanes to use the airport. CEZA is steady in discussions with airlines interested in regular domestic and international commercial and chartered flights to Cagayan via this new airport, Lambino also said.

The opening of the new airport is part of various infrastructure support projects to promote growth in the north as the next transshipment point as it becomes a logistics hub in the ASEAN region.

To jumpstart investments, CEZA will undertake certain projects, including the construction of CEZA’s multi-storey corporate center, a world-class medical center, a boutique hotel and duty free premium outlets.

Also in the pipeline are the construction of a power plant, expressways, integrated resorts, townships, and water, sewerage and waste services.

For the gaming industry, Lambino said the First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corp.(FCLRC) and the North Cagayan Gaming and Amusement Corp. (NCGAC), CEZA’s master licensors, would ensure that only legitimate gaming companies that went through rigid probity checks and testing of their gaming platforms are authorized to operate in the economic zone.

During the recent forum, some participants signified their intention to locate Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) operations at the CSEZF.

Locally-registered companies engaged in BPO are tapped by the IGLs for content delivery and customer support. CEZA accredits and registers such BPOs to provide gaming support services to gaming firms.

In all, Lambino said these efforts are geared toward a level playing field, world-class internet connectivity, stable power supply and a brand new international airport in a secure and stable business environment, for international gaming licensees (IGL) in online (offshore) gaming looking to set up shop at the CEZA.