The Department of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines inaugurated the expanded General Santos International Airport on Thursday.
In a statement, the DOTr said the improvements will allow the gateway to handle larger planes and more passengers.
It said the airport’s passenger building was enlarged to handle at least two million travelers annually, double its previous capacity.
Other upgrades included the newly installed navigational aids and the new CAAP Administration Building.
The event was led by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, CAAP director general Jim Sydiongco and local government executives.
During the event, Tugade said the new facilities at the General Santos Airport were among the projects being implemented by the DOTr despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sydiongco added the airport was now ready to handle more international flights.
“The specifications are there to meet international standards,” he said in the same statement.