Airlines begin using new Bohol-Panglao gateway

Local airlines announced the start of operations at the brand-new Bohol-Panglao International Airport, a project 18 years in the making.

In separate statements, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air and Philippines Air Asia said they mounted the successful transfer of flights to Bohol-Panglao Airport. The new gateway replaced the Tagbilaran Airport, which was officially closed on Nov. 27 this year.

Located on Panglao Island in the province of Bohol, the new airport can accommodate up to two million passengers annually, more than double the 800,000 annual capacity of the Tagbilaran Airport.

“This modern airport will serve local and international tourists who would like to experience the beauty of Panglao. It will also address the problem of our growing traffic congestion, and accelerate economic activities in the region. Be assured of this government’s full support, as you make Bohol more accessible to the world through this new airport,” President Duterte said during the inaugural ceremonies led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) this week.

Construction began in June 2015, however, the project was hit by delays.

The DOTr noted the project was nevertheless completed ahead of a new target schedule after it ordered round-the-clock construction activities.

The airport was dubbed the “Green Gateway to the World,” because its facilities feature environmentally sustainable practices and green technologies.

According to the DOTr, it uses environment-friendly equipment and facilities such as light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, rainwater catchment pond, materials recovery facility, soaking yard, energy-saving air-conditioning systems, management system for hazardous waste and a sewage treatment plant.

Cebu Pacific, which has been operating flights to Bohol since 2004, announced plans to expand.

It said in a statement it would start daily flights between Bohol and Clark International Airport in Pampanga by Dec. 15 this year. It currently operates three daily flights from Manila and daily flights from Cagayan de Oro and Davao via subsidiary Cebgo.