Bohol-Panglao International Airport's (BPIA) modernization will boost the province's economic gains, operator Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) said on Wednesday.

“The modernization of BPIA is not just about upgrading infrastructure – it’s about enabling the continued rise of Bohol as a vibrant tourism and economic hub in the Visayas. We are proud to support the province’s aspirations through transformative infrastructure ecosystems, such as BPIA,” AIC president and CEO Cosette Canilao said in a statement.

The turnover of BPIA operations to AIC is set for June 16 for the PHP4.53 billion investment plan that includes expanding BPIA’s passenger terminal building, installing modern aviation systems, and enhancing airside and landside facilities.

These capacity upgrades will pave the way for expanded tourism and regional growth, the AIC said.

“This project reinforces our goal of elevating airport experiences while contributing to local economies,” AIC vice president and head of Airports Business Rafael Aboitiz said.

The BPIA will join the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu and Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental as members of AIC’s growing aviation portfolio.

Meanwhile, within one to two years of takeover, the AIC aims to boost BPIA’s capacity from 2 million to 2.5 million passengers annually, with future expansions pushing capacity to 3.9 million passengers per year by 2030.

The modernization of BPIA will complement Bohol’s economic priorities previously identified by the Bohol Provincial Planning and Development Office, which include sustainable tourism, climate-smart agriculture, and micro-enterprise growth, the AIC said. 

ABOITIZ INFRACAPITAL PHOTO