Press Release
November 7, 2014

Pimentel predicts major trade and tourism boost
as Laguindingan Airport starts night operations

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today said tourism and trade are expected to receive a big boost as the major gateway to Northern Mindanao, the new Laguindingan Airport, starts night operations this month to service a growing number of air passengers.

Pimentel, who hails from Cagayan de Oro City, lauded the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for upgrading the air navigation of the airport and installing ground lighting system to allow night landing operations.

He said the scheduled start of night operations late this month is just timely as returning balikbayans and both local and foreign tourists are expected to swell in number because of improved law and order condition and to catch up with the Christmas holidays.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has already tested and conducted joined inspection with DOTC officials last week for safety purposes and in order to double check for any possible defects in the newly installed lighting system.

Pimentel said the night operations would greatly expand air travel to Cagayan de Oro City and the neighboring cities of Iligan and Marawi as well as the entire provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte.

He said air passengers would now have more options to take because of added flights that would result in preventing air traffic and congestion at the terminal, especially during peak seasons like the Christmas holidays in December.

Business is expected to dramatically improve as well as the burgeoning tourism industry because of the new airport that has already complied with the policies and procedures of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

News Latest News Feed