-
Commercial flights resume at General Santos International Airport on June 15, 2026
-
The Department of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines complete safety assessment after June 8 earthquake off Sarangani
-
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ordered fast-tracked repairs to ensure passenger safety
Commercial flight operations at General Santos International Airport will officially resume tomorrow, June 15, 2026, following a week-long suspension caused by the June 8 earthquake off Sarangani. The announcement was made by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) after completing a comprehensive safety assessment of the airport facilities.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. earlier directed transport authorities to expedite repair works to guarantee the safety and convenience of travelers. Responding to this directive, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez assured the public that operations would restart within a week of the quake.
From June 8 to June 14, only government, military, and humanitarian flights were allowed at the airport.
The CAAP emphasized that coordination meetings were held with airline operators, airport stakeholders, and relevant government agencies to ensure seamless and secure operations once flights resume. These efforts aim to minimize disruption and restore confidence among passengers traveling through General Santos.
Authorities advised passengers to directly coordinate with their respective airlines for updated flight schedules and travel arrangements. The reopening marks a significant step in restoring normalcy to the region’s air connectivity, underscoring the government’s commitment to swift action in the face of natural disasters.
The Civil Aeronautics Board earlier requested local airlines operating at the airport – Cebu Pacific, PAL and PAL Express – to provide “flexible and compassionate passenger flight options, such as but not limited to full refund, rebooking without fee, waiver of cancellation fees, or conversion of ticket to travel fund/voucher to all affected passengers.”
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 61 deaths from the earthquake as of June 13. Over 720,000 persons have been affected.
With 725 structures affected, infrastructure damage is estimated at P1 billion, according to NDRRMC.
