The P5 billion Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga, Albay, is set to open for commercial domestic flights on October 7, 2021, and international flights a month afterwards.
On Sunday, Oct. 3, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade oversaw the final inspection of BIA, which is known as the country's "Most Scenic Gateway" with Mount Mayon as its backdrop.
Because some critics had doubts about the BIA's completion, Tugade termed it as a "personal struggle" for him.
After assessing the BIA's overall physical accomplishment, Tugade made a remark, “We are glad to say that the BIA is now nearing completion and will be ready to service domestic aviation passengers by Thursday,”
He also indicated that, pending airline submissions for International Civil Aviation review, the facility would be ready for international flights by the end of the year.
“Construction works for the BIA were delayed for 11 years. It went through 3 groundbreaking ceremonies prior to this administration,” Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade noted.
As of October 3, 2021, the BIA's overall progress rate was 92.56 percent, with 97.28 percent of the passenger terminal building completed. The Administration Building, Air Traffic Control Building, Crash Fire Rescue Building, Cargo Terminal Building, 98.59 percent, and Power House Building are all 98.69 percent complete.
Bicol International Airport also has the same high-tech capabilities as the Clark International Airport
Meanwhile, CAAP Chief of Staff and Airport Projects Team Head Danjun Lucas said they hired the service provider of Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga to use the same high-tech capabilities as the CRK, which has a contactless luggage handling and food ordering system. Contactless common use self-service kiosks are accessible at the passenger terminal building ground floor check-in lobby, allowing passengers to check-in without having to deal with anyone.
Once completed, the BIA, which has a breathtaking backdrop of the Mayon Volcano, is expected to accommodate two million airline passengers yearly.
Contractors involved
Package 2A, which includes the airport's landside facilities such as the administration building, air traffic control building, crash fire rescue building, and maintenance building, is overseen by Sunwest Construction and Development Corp.
Meanwhile, the E.M. Cuerpo construction company is in charge of the airport project's Package 2B, which comprises the construction of the passenger terminal building, taxiway, runway expansion, and other site development work.
Bicol International Airport design and features
From the airport, you can see the famous Mayon Volcano, an active stratovolcano. Among the landside facilities being built under package 2A are administrative, air traffic control, and maintenance buildings.
A 7.5-kilometer perimeter road and a 7-kilometer perimeter drainage system, as well as a detention pond, will be part of the new airport's airside facilities.
BIA will be upgraded with navigational aids such as meteorological instruments and airport security systems as part of package three.
The airport will construct a new passenger terminal building with a 486m2 arrival/departure lounge, totaling 13,680m2. The concept also includes a 2.3-kilometer-long runway that can accommodate larger planes.
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