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Construction of the Bicol International Airport (BIA) is now 92.56% complete
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BIA is expected to cater to domestic flights on October 7
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International flights will begin in November 7
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Once fully operational, BIA is expected to accommodate a total of 2 million passengers per year
The almost complete Bicol International Airport (BIA) is expected to start operations on October 7 catering first to domestic flights, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
As of October 3, the overall progress rate of the BIA project is at 92.56%, DOTr said in a statement.
Almost all of the project’s infrastructure components are more than 90% complete, with the passenger terminal building 97.28% done; administration building, 98.93%; air traffic control building, 98.65%; crash fire rescue building, 98.40%; cargo terminal building, 98.59%; power house building, 98.69%; and runway extension, 79.27%.
The airport’s passenger boarding bridge is expected to be positioned on October 5.
BIA will be ready for international operations by November 7, subject to the airlines’ application/intent to operate international flights, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) chief of staff and Airport Projects Team head Danjun Lucas.
Once fully operational, BIA, which is touted as the country’s “most scenic gateway” with the iconic Mayon volcano as its backdrop, is expected to accommodate a total of 2 million passengers per year.
Pre-construction of the international airport started in 2008 but was delayed several times. The project reached 50% completion in 2018.
DOTr said the construction of BIA, which is situated in Barangay Alobo, Daraga in Albay, led to the employment of 755 workers, with 1,100 more indirect jobs awaiting locals once the airport becomes operational.
