Wider runways in pipeline for airports in Coron, Siargao

MANILA, Philippines — The government may undertake the expansion of runways for regional airports in Busuanga and Siargao to enable them to land larger aircraft, which is key to reducing fares for passengers.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is evaluating whether it should expand the runways of the Francisco B. Reyes Airport in Busuanga and Sayak Airport in Siargao prior to their eventual transfer to private hands.

CAAP director general Raul del Rosario said his agency wants to make the airports in Busuanga and Siargao capable of handling jetliners like Airbus A320, which can transport as many as 180 passengers per flight.

Currently, the two airports are limited to landing turboprops, which can only fly up to 80 passengers. This restriction is making it difficult for airlines to bring down fares to Busuanga — which leads to island paradise Coron — and surfing haven Siargao.

“CAAP knows what to do with [these gateways] because it is just lengthening and expanding to accommodate Airbus A320s. The A320 is a heavier aircraft, so it can carry more people. This is going to lower fares. This is what they call jet economy,” Del Rosario said.

However, Del Rosario said there are issues that CAAP has to deal with in widening the runways for Busuanga and Siargao airports based on its initial studies.

In Busuanga, the runway may have to be reoriented if it is extended, as CAAP may face right–of–way issues in the current alignment.

In Siargao, the agency has to work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in clearing the mangrove where the extension is proposed to be built.

The Busuanga and Siargao airports are both being eyed by the private sector for operations and maintenance. The Udenna Group is offering a P1.35-billion investment to manage the Busuanga Airport, seeing potential in the demand for air travel to Coron.

Likewise, the Philippine Regional Airports Consortium is pitching a P16-billion takeover of the Davao, Bicol and Siargao gateways. The proponent, led by the Gokongwei and Gotianun groups, wants to upgrade the Siargao Airport and make it jet-capable.

Recently, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) initiated talks with airlines to tackle how fares to domestic destinations can be lowered in time for the holiday season.

The DOTr is wondering why fares to Siargao, for instance, can climb to as much as P30,000 per roundtrip, beating rates to international cities like Bangkok, Hong Kong and Tokyo.