Boracay airport prepares for international clientele — SMC

The Boracay Airport is preparing for its international jet operations after its runway has been extended to host larger aircraft, conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said Wednesday.

The runway of Godofredo P. Ramos Airport or Boracay Airport in Caticlan, Aklan from 950 meters to 1,700 meters.

In an emailed statement, SMC said this extension the airport will be able to accommodate bigger jets and more passengers per flight.

Before the runway upgrade, Boracay Airport could only handle turbo propeller aircrafts.

SMC said the first passenger jet - an Airbus A320 - from Cebu Pacific carrying 179 passengers touched down on Wednesday.

Last Friday, Philippine Airlines' A320 jets began flying to the airport.

The company said the extended runway would allow both domestic and international carriers to fly in direct from countries such as South Korea, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

SMC also took note that it expects to complete the construction of an interim terminal by the end of the year to "accommodate the projected increase in passengers with the shift to bigger aircraft."

A permanent world-class international passenger terminal with 12 air bridges is also being constructed, it added.

“For passengers, this can only mean more airlines competing to offer better services, more affordable airfare, convenience, and less travel time. For the people of Aklan, this will create livelihood opportunities, further boost tourism, and improve their economy,” said SMC President and COO Ramon Ang.

The Boracay Airport is one of two airports that services Boracay island, a popular tourist spot.

"With the shift to bigger jets, travelers will now have faster and more convenient access to the island as it takes a mere five-minute ride from the jetty port, the jump off point from the airport, to Boracay island," the SMC said.

Aside from an extended runway, the Boracay Airport also has a new ramp that can accommodate nine Airbus A320s or Boeing 737-900 aircraft. The old ramp could only host up to four turbo propeller aircraft. 

San Miguel Corp. owns Boracay Airport concession-holder TransAire Development Holdings Corp., which oversees the modernization of the airport. — BAP, GMA News