Iloilo International Airport

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Iloilo International Airport
Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Iloilo
Internasyonal nga Hulugpaan sang Iloilo


Exterior of Iloilo International Airport
IATA: ILO – ICAO: RPVI
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Air Transportation Office
Serves Iloilo City
Location Cabatuan and Santa Barbara, Iloilo
Elevation AMSL 51 m / 168 ft
Coordinates 10°49′56.7″N 122°29′35.2″E / 10.832417, 122.493111
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
02/20 2,500 8,203 Asphalt

Iloilo International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Iloilo, Hiligaynon: Internasyonal nga Hulugpaan sang Iloilo) (IATA: ILO, ICAO: RPVI) is an international airport designed to serve the general area of Iloilo City, the capital city of the province of Iloilo and the regional center of the Western Visayas region in the Philippines. The airport is a replacement for Mandurriao Airport located in Iloilo City proper, having opened its doors to commercial traffic on June 14, 2007. With the closure of Mandurriao Airport, Iloilo International Airport inherited its IATA and ICAO airport codes, as well as its position as the fourth-busiest airport in the Philippines.[1] It is designated as a secondary international airport by the Air Transportation Office, a body of the Department of Transportation and Communications responsible for the operation of all airports in the Philippines.

The airport is located 19 kilometers (12 mi) northwest of Iloilo City on a 188-hectare (460-acre) site between the municipalities of Cabatuan and Santa Barbara,[2] with the main entrance and airport access road in Santa Barbara. The rest of the airport infrastructure meanwhile is located in Cabatuan. It is one of three international airports in the Visayas, the others being Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu City and Bacolod-Silay City International Airport in Bacolod City, the first international airport in Western Visayas, and the first international airport built on the island of Panay. Its construction comes some ten years after construction of the last new international airport in the Philippines, General Santos International Airport in General Santos City.

Contents

[edit] History

Planning for the Iloilo International Airport project commenced in 1998, during the administration of Joseph Estrada. In November 1998, Estrada signed an executive order that created the Iloilo Airport Coordinating Committee, headed by Iloilo-born senator Franklin Drilon, one of the chief architects and supporters of the project.[3] The project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in March 2000.[4]

The Iloilo International Airport project was inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on January 25, 2004 in Cabatuan, the primary site of the airport.[2] The airport project was funded with a 6.2-billion peso (US$148 million) loan as part of a loan package provided by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.[2] It was decided that a new airport was needed for Iloilo City after it was found that Mandurriao Airport was unexpandable due to operational obstacles and the presence of structures that prohibited its expansion, such as slum areas and other natural and civic structures.[2]

The selection of Cabatuan and Santa Barbara as the locations for the airport complex was done in a study performed by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).[2]

Physical construction work on the new airport started on April 14, 2004.[5] The original expected deadline of completion was June 2007,[6] although this was moved to the first quarter of 2007. A joint venture between the Taisei Corporation and the Shimizu Corporation of Japan served as the contractor for the project,[6] with Phil-Japan Airport Consultants, Inc. managing the project and serving as the government's consultant to the project.[7] The project was 75 percent complete as of July 14, 2006 and fully complete by March 18, 2007.[7][8] While construction was completed ahead of schedule, the airport was constructed over budget, with a final cost of around 9 billion pesos caused by increases in the cost of civil works and consultancy services.[9][10]

[edit] Name

During the course of the airport's construction, the airport was called the New Iloilo Airport Development Project, or NIADP. During the airport's construction, there were three main contenders for the airport's name upon completion: Iloilo International Airport, Panay International Airport and Graciano Lopez-Jaena International Airport.

The first proposal, Iloilo International Airport, refers to the original name of the airport which had the support of the Iloilo provincial government and the Iloilo city government.[11] The second proposal, Panay International Airport, was proposed by the President and supported by the Regional Development Council for Western Visayas (RDC) led by Antique governor Salvacion Perez.[12][13] The third proposal, Graciano Lopez-Jaena International Airport, named after the Iloilo-born Graciano López Jaena, was proposed by the Dr. Graciano Lopez-Jaena Foundation with the support of the RDC and Antique governor Perez, who is also a member of the foundation.[14] The name was also endorsed by the National Historical Institute.[15]

Out of the three proposals, the proposal to rename the airport Panay International Airport had since been dropped due to opposition by the Iloilo city and provincial governments,[11] the mayor of Cabatuan and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez,[16][17] all citing that it is illogical to rename an airport after an island as large as Panay. Prospects for the third proposal are better, with Iloilo governor Niel Tupas saying that the feasibility of renaming the airport after López Jaena or any other Ilonggo should be studied first.[14]

Local newspaper The News Today issued an informal survey asking Iloilo City residents what should be the name of the airport and why. Eight out of the nineteen respondents answered Iloilo International Airport, two answered Panay International Airport, one answered Graciano Lopez-Jaena International Airport and the other respondents either had different suggestions or did not give a specific suggestion at all.[18] Despite the debate over the name of the airport complex, the name still remains Iloilo International Airport.

[edit] Opening dates

The opening date of Iloilo International Airport had been a source of controversy and confusion, being moved many times in order to accommodate the schedule of President Arroyo and to avoid political overtones from dominating the airport's opening, having been completed during an election year.

The original opening date of Iloilo International Airport was on March 19, 2007, when its inaugural flight would land.[19] This was moved, however, to April 16, with commercial operations commencing on April 21.[20] This date was also scrapped due to the inability of the President to attend due to the hospitalization of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.[21]

A new opening date was scheduled for sometime in late April,[9] although some sources also indicated that the airport would open on May 10, 2007 during a major TEAM Unity rally in Iloilo City that President Arroyo was expected to attend.[22] The final opening date had since been slated for after the 2007 elections,[23] most likely in June.[24] The final opening date was finally set for June 13, 2007,[25] with commercial services commencing the next day.[26] By that time, airlines had already transferred their offices to the new airport.[25]

[edit] Inauguration and start of operations

Iloilo International Airport was formally opened on June 13 with the arrival of the presidential aircraft at the new airport at around 9:50 am PST,[27] with Governor Tupas leading provincial and city officials in welcoming the President to the new facility.[27] The inauguration of the new airport also included figures such as Japanese ambassador Ryuchiro Yamazaki and Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, who assisted the President in leading the inaugural rites.[28]

The airport was formally commissioned at 5:00 am PST on June 14, coinciding with the simultaneous decommissioning of Mandurriao Airport.[29] The first commercial flight to land at the new airport was Philippine Airlines Flight 139,[30] an Airbus A320 that departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and landed at 6:20 am PST the same day.[30]

Operations on the first day of the airport's commercial operation ran smoothly, although a baggage conveyor belt and x-ray machines malfunctioned due to a sudden surge in passengers trying to catch their early morning flights.[31] Tension also marred the airport's first day after baggage porters who worked at the old Mandurriao Airport insisted on working at the new airport.[31] The ATO, DOTC and the porters have since agreed to a closed-door conference and later on to refer the problem to DOTC Assistant Secretary Red Kapunan, the person in charge of international airports in the Philippines.[31]

[edit] Structure

[edit] Runway

Iloilo International Airport has one primary 2,500-meter (8,200 ft) runway with a width of 45 meters (150 ft).[9] It runs at 02°/20°, the same as Mandurriao Airport. Unlike the runway at Mandurriao, however, the longer runway at Iloilo International Airport can support aircraft as large as the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A330. Runway lights and an Instrument Landing System have also been installed, making the airport capable of supporting landings during periods of low visibility and at night.

[edit] Terminals

Pre-departure area of Iloilo International Airport
Pre-departure area of Iloilo International Airport

[edit] Passenger terminal

The airport has a 12,000-square-meter (130,000 sq ft) main passenger terminal designed to handle around 1.2 million passengers annually.[32] It is divided into three levels: arrivals and baggage claim on the first floor, check-in on the second floor and departures on the third floor.[9] The pre-departure area at Iloilo International Airport can handle 436 passengers at any given time.[33]

The terminal has three jet bridges hanging above a 48,000-square-meter (520,000 sq ft) apron,[9] making Iloilo International Airport capable of supporting up to six aircraft simultaneously. When fully retracted, the jet bridges expand to a length of 35 meters (110 ft).[33] Some airlines, however, such as Air Philippines, do not make use of the airport's jet bridges.

The main terminal is equipped with six x-ray machines,[33] as well as escalators and staircases for departing and arriving passengers' use.[34] There are also two elevators,[34] one for very important persons and one for disabled passengers.[34] Two pocket gardens have been installed at the terminal,[1] one each for both the departure and arrival halls. The building also features ten modern check-in counters with LCD monitors.[33] The terminal makes extensive use of natural lighting, making the airport very energy efficient. Other amenities available to passengers include a special smoking room,[33] a VIP lounge,[33] a Mabuhay Lounge for Philippine Airlines business class passengers and counters for hotel and car rental bookings,[33] as well as areas for airport stores and payphones.[33]

[edit] Cargo terminal

Iloilo International Airport has a 1,281-square-meter (13,790 sq ft) cargo terminal,[11] designed to handle around 11,200 tons of cargo annually.[32] The three-storey building has a covered platform, bathrooms, government offices and cargo handling areas, as well as its own parking lot.[33] Airline offices also occupy the structure, secured by means of a perimeter fence with a guard house.[33]

[edit] Other structures

Iloilo International Airport has a modern 35-meter (110 ft) tall control tower equipped with air navigation equipment and radar systems in place.[9] The airport also has maintenance buildings with complete equipment and a fire station equipped with three fire trucks,[34] as well as an administrative building.[9] There is also a 415-slot parking lot for the use of passengers, employees and airport visitors.[34]

The airport has a power back-up system and a power generating station, enabling the airport to run even in the event of a power outage,[34] which are common in Panay.[35] The system enables the return of electric power to Iloilo International Airport within three seconds.[34]

The airport also has water treatment facilities and a 6-hectare (15-acre) man-made pond used for flood control and drainage purposes,[7] as well as for the irrigation of nearby farmland.[7]

[edit] Airlines and destinations

A Cebu Pacific aircraft and two military helicopters parked at the Iloilo International Airport apron
A Cebu Pacific aircraft and two military helicopters parked at the Iloilo International Airport apron

The following airlines serve Iloilo International Airport:

As of the moment, no airline has expressed interest in starting international routes to and from Iloilo City. The ATO believes that international flights out of and to the airport might not begin until 2008.[36] However, the DOTC is said to be planning international cargo flights out of the airport as sixty percent of Philippine seafood exports come from Panay.[37] International passenger flights could commence once Iloilo International Airport meets ICAO standards.[37]

It was announced that Cebu Pacific is contemplating starting international services from Iloilo, first with a route to Hong Kong to cater to the large number of Overseas Filipinos there.[38] Philippine Airlines is considering this route as well.[39] PAL Express is also considering a direct route from Iloilo to Malay to boost Boracay-bound tourism traffic,[40] although the feasibility of this is questionable due to congestion at Godofredo P. Ramos Airport which serves the municipality.[39] A think tank group, the Center for Research and Communication, has also called for flights to Japan, mainland China and South Korea out of Iloilo.[41]

[edit] Access and transportation

[edit] Rail

A train linking Iloilo International Airport to Iloilo City proper, similar to the Airport Express in Hong Kong and similar systems in other cities, is being studied.[42] A feasibility study has since been commissioned by the city government.[43] Other proposals to connect the airport to the city via rail also include the revival of the currently defunct Panay Railways network which has a station in Santa Barbara town proper.[44]

[edit] Road

A secondary access road leading to the airport complex. This road branches out of the main access road leading to the airport.
A secondary access road leading to the airport complex. This road branches out of the main access road leading to the airport.

Iloilo International Airport is connected to Iloilo City proper via the Tomas Confesor Highway. At Bangga Gama in Santa Barbara, a bypass branches off the highway, providing access to a 3-kilometer (1.9 mi) long, 30-meter (98 ft) wide access road which links the airport complex to the highway.[9] The access road is wide enough to be able to accommodate four lanes of traffic. The estimated travel time to the airport from Iloilo City proper is around thirty minutes.[1]

[edit] Public transportation

Although public transport routes to and from the airport are being studied, no franchises for transport services to and from the airport have been granted as of yet by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).[45] Some transport operators, however, are showing interest in starting shuttle services to the airport from Iloilo City,[45] while others have drawn proposals for public transport routes from Iloilo City directly to the airport.[45] A shuttle service is currently available to the airport from Iloilo City, with pick-up and drop-off points at SM City Iloilo and Jaro Plaza.[1]

Taxi service is available to the airport from Iloilo City proper, with the average markup fare from Jaro Plaza in downtown Iloilo City around 163 pesos ($3.90).[46] Taxi operators though have filed a petition with the LTFRB to increase airport rates by 150 pesos, a move opposed by Governor Tupas as the move would make taxi fares to the airport the most expensive out of any route going to an airport in the Philippines,[46] as well as hurt the tourism industry.[46]

Iloilo International Airport is also accessible via jeepney to Santa Barbara town proper, after which travelers may take a share taxi to the airport.[1] Travelers may also take jeepneys en route to Cabatuan, Calinog or Janiuay, all of which stop at Santa Barbara.[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Caratao Jr., Marcos (2007-06-18). New Iloilo Airport. Explore Iloilo. Retrieved on 2007-07-25.
  2. ^ a b c d e "GMA visits Iloilo, inaugurates development projects", Office of the Press Secretary, 2004-01-25. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  3. ^ "P5.5M set for new airports in region", Sun.Star Iloilo, Sun.Star Publishing, Inc., 2006-10-10. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  4. ^ Celebria, Gina Angela H.; Espada, Ian C.. "PGMA to inaugurate P7 B Iloilo Airport", Provincial Government of Iloilo, 2007-06-01. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. 
  5. ^ Angelo, Francis Allan L.. "Drilon: New Iloilo airport is graft-free", The Daily Guardian, Kayo and Partners, 2006-09-30. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  6. ^ a b Garcia, Erly C.. "Contractor assures airport project still within timetable", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2006-04-26. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  7. ^ a b c d "New Iloilo Airport Dev't Project 75% completed", Sun.Star Iloilo, Sun.Star Publishing, Inc., 2006-07-14. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  8. ^ "Drilon urges PGMA to open new Iloilo airport now", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2007-05-29. Retrieved on 2008-06-05. 
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Ronda, Rainier Allan. "New Iloilo int’l airport to open this month", The Philippine Star, PhilStar Daily, Inc., 2006-04-18. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  10. ^ Amojelar, Darwin G.. "NEDA OK’s new Iloilo airport cost overruns", The Manila Times, Manila Times Publishing Corporation, 2007-10-30. Retrieved on 2007-12-02. 
  11. ^ a b c Dalipe IV, George. "Airport name game: It should be Iloilo, not Panay, insist city, prov’l officials", Panay News, FILES Publications, 2006-08-07. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  12. ^ Angelo, Francis Allan L.. "Iloilo officials slam plan to change name of Iloilo airport", The Daily Guardian, Kayo and Partners, 2006-08-07. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  13. ^ Bilbao, Lory Ann B.. "Provincial Board lambastes council for airport name proposal", Sun.Star Iloilo, Sun.Star Publishing, Inc., 2006-08-09. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  14. ^ a b Bilbao, Lory Ann B.. "New airport as the Lopez Jaena airport?", Sun.Star Iloilo, Sun.Star Publishing, Inc., 2007-02-09. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  15. ^ "What’s the official name of the new Iloilo airport?", Panay News, FILES Publications, 2007-05-28. Retrieved on 2007-05-29. 
  16. ^ "Cabatuan exec joins call to retain airport's name", Sun.Star Iloilo, Sun.Star Publishing, Inc., 2006-08-10. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  17. ^ Angelo, Francis Allan L.. "Gonzalez opposed plans to rename the new Iloilo airport in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara area to Panay International Airport", The Daily Guardian, Kayo and Partners, 2006-08-10. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  18. ^ Teves-Magalona, Marichel. "There is an issue on what to name the new airport in Cabatuan... what do you suggest? Why?", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2006-08-16. Retrieved on 2008-03-31. 
  19. ^ Robles, Nelson C.. "Drilon satisfied with New Iloilo Airport", Sun.Star Iloilo, Sun.Star Publishing, Inc., 2006-10-03. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  20. ^ Calubiran, Maricar M.. "PGMA to grace opening of new Iloilo airport", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2007-04-12. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  21. ^ Calubiran, Maricar M.. "PGMA's Iloilo visit canceled", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2007-04-13. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  22. ^ Caratao Jr., Marcos (2007-04-27). Major Ongoing Infrastructure Projects in Iloilo - April 2007. Explore Iloilo. Retrieved on 2007-04-28.
  23. ^ "Iloilo Airport inauguration slated after May polls", Philippine News Agency, 2007-05-02. Retrieved on 2007-05-19. 
  24. ^ Dela Cruz, Roderick T.. "Iloilo airport opens in June", Manila Standard Today, Kamahalan Publishing Corporation, 2007-05-14. Retrieved on 2007-05-19. 
  25. ^ a b Sinay, David Israel. "New Iloilo Airport to open June 13 after a month’s delay", Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc., 2007-06-03. Retrieved on 2007-06-03. 
  26. ^ Arcibal, Cheryl. "Arroyo to inaugurate new Iloilo airport on June 13", GMA News and Public Affairs, 2007-06-07. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. 
  27. ^ a b Petinglay, Annabel J.. "PGMA's plane makes historic landing at new Iloilo airport", Philippine News Agency, 2007-06-13. Retrieved on 2007-06-13. 
  28. ^ "Feature: P8.7-B Iloilo Airport symbol of political will", Philippine Information Agency, 2007-06-13. Retrieved on 2008-06-08. 
  29. ^ Hibionada, Florence F.. "Goodbye Mandurriao, Hello Cabatuan", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2007-06-13. Retrieved on 2007-07-12. 
  30. ^ a b "PAL flies to new Iloilo airport on June 14; PGMA to open Mabuhay Lounge", Philippine News Agency, 2007-06-08. Retrieved on 2007-06-13. 
  31. ^ a b c Angelo, Francis Allan L.. "Not so perfect start for New Iloilo Airport", The Daily Guardian, Kayo and Partners, 2007-06-15. Retrieved on 2007-06-15. 
  32. ^ a b Subong, Elsa S.. "Iloilo airport ready to serve anytime – ATO", Philippine Information Agency, 2007-05-15. Retrieved on 2007-05-19. 
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Subong, Elsa S.. "Feature: The new Iloilo Airport in perspective", Philippine Information Agency, 2007-06-13. Retrieved on 2007-06-13. 
  34. ^ a b c d e f g "Inagurasyon sang Iloilo Airport Apr 16", GMA Iloilo, 2007-04-11. Retrieved on 2007-04-27. (Hiligaynon) 
  35. ^ "GMA empowers Iloilo", Office of the Press Secretary, 2004-01-25. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
  36. ^ Balnig, Jay Dooma. "No int'l flights in new airport this year: air transpo exec", Sun.Star Iloilo, Sun.Star Publishing, Inc., 2007-06-07. Retrieved on 2007-06-07. 
  37. ^ a b Angelo, Francis Allan L.. "Int’l flights possible in NIA", The Daily Guardian, Kayo and Partners, 2007-06-14. Retrieved on 2007-06-14. 
  38. ^ Villalon, Kathy M.. "Iloilo-Caticlan, Iloilo-Hongkong routes mulled", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2008-02-01. Retrieved on 2008-02-17. 
  39. ^ a b Calubiran, Maricar M.. "Airline company plans to have Iloilo-HK flight", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2008-05-23. Retrieved on 2008-05-26. 
  40. ^ Fernandez, Jeehan V.. "PAL sees tourism, biz boom in Iloilo", The Daily Guardian, Kayo and Partners, 2008-05-23. Retrieved on 2008-05-28. 
  41. ^ Fernandez, Jeehan V.. "'Iloilo should woo int’l airlines’", The Daily Guardian, Kayo and Partners, 2008-02-10. Retrieved on 2008-03-26. 
  42. ^ Fernandez, Jeehan V.. "Train mulled for NIA–Iloilo City route", The Daily Guardian, Kayo and Partners, 2007-06-15. Retrieved on 2007-07-01. 
  43. ^ Fernandez, Jeehan V.. "Train system to link Iloilo City to airport", The Daily Guardian, Kayo and Partners. Retrieved on 2008-06-12. 
  44. ^ Salvilla, Rex S.. "Anything Under the Sun: Panay Railways", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2006-07-28. Retrieved on 2008-06-12. 
  45. ^ a b c Calubiran, Maricar M.. "Public transport direct to new airport needed", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2007-04-13. Retrieved on 2007-04-27. 
  46. ^ a b c Garcia, Erly C.. "Tupas opposes proposed mark up on taxi fare going to new airport", The News Today, TNT Publishing, Inc., 2007-06-05. Retrieved on 2007-07-01. 

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