Are there any news regarding an extension of this busy airport. There are more movements than in Davao already. So Boracay airport has become number 3 after Manila and Cebu
However, there is
- no taxiway end to end
- a short runway which does not allow flights to Korea
- an inadequate terminal for the departure and arrivals (looks like a busstation)
- no transfer from the terminal to Boracay directly (perfect in the Maledives)
- traffic in the holding above Carabao and Kalibo (as the current airport cannot handle so much traffic)
- no planes bigger than A320 allowed (why not A321?)
- night operations limited to Turboprop
It's been a while since the groundbreaking. I wonder if there are any updates.
I know there are comments about the design, but since this is megawide, I'm hoping the interiors will make up for the lack of architectural character.
Also, which side of the runway is this on? Instead of a bridge to Boracay, it would be good to have a terminal where you can walk to the pier to make you really feel your island vacation.
Anyway, so many ways to optimize tourism in Boracay, but nary a masterplan.
The reason for the delay, straight from the horses mouth. PTB should be completed in July 2027.
So they were able to demolish a hill and even start building a terminal 1.0 while controlling existing terminal infra and still be kulang sa ROW? Something isn't right.
If kulang sa ROW, why did they start building the famous steel girders to begin with? Were there no plans or consultations?
This doesn't look good for anyone. Who on earth authorized the commencement of construction while ROW was kulang? What a waste of money, even if it wasn't taxpayer money.
Anyway, SMC finally got a contractor with experience in building airports. They're so notorious for just getting the cheapest contractors for most of their projects that whatever they save in construction costs they lose in opportunity costs because of construction delays. Megawide at least has delivered two solid airport terminals mostly on time.
Not that it's all SMC's fault as the LGUs in the area are also a right mess.
Anyway, let's think positive. The new terminal is doubling capacity. Does that mean that Caticlan will be able to take on international flights again? I can imagine that CebPac, with their mammoth order, will want to base some A320neos there. If they were even more ambitious, they could base A321XLRs that can reach BNE or PER and take advantage of the Australian market while the Korean market is still recovering.
That being said, Boracay is very very full, so they also really need to start investing in developing the coast of Caticlan or alternative islands in the area. Take advantage of that new capacity. Hopefully the LGU is forward-thinking in their zoning.
Right of Way to the PTB and the apron is not with SMC. Its with LGU and DOTr, and the landowners fought it out in court against the government with respect to their just compensation of their land. The court granted the landowners the TRO which prevented SMC from completing and accessing the old structure. In fact, you could see the access to the temporary terminal at the roadside far from the proposed entrance. So you see, its not about SMC, but government inaction as well. That is the reason why their O&M contracts were modified to suit the prevailing conditions on the ground, ie court litigation. But SMC did not tell them directly, they just said delay. For good taste, as the President was in front of them.
I did mention that it wasn't all SMC's fault, but anyway, something else.
Caticlan is seeking to upgrade the jetty port of Malay to address congestion. However, wouldn't it also address congestion if the airport were to have its own pier?
I remember pre-pandemic, there were pronouncements that the Airport would have its own pier.
Just studying the renders and google maps. The new megawide terminal is literally next to the coast. It would be so convenient for tourists going to the island to just walk to the water after arriving and getting a boat from there. And that would likewise decongest the current jetty port, allowing resorts to develop in that area if they can allow for easy day trips to Boracay.
Caticlan is seeking to upgrade the jetty port of Malay to address congestion. However, wouldn't it also address congestion if the airport were to have its own pier?
Sadly, that is not part of the O&M Contract. Airport development and seaport development are two different things within the jurisdiction of different offices within DOTr. Even the proposed bridge by SMC is not with DOTR or DPWH, but with DOT under TIEZA.
Locked
