The Filipino Government has announced that it will award a PHP14.62bn ($33m) contract for the maintenance and operations of the Northern Mindanao-based Laguindingan International Airport by the second half of 2015.
The contract carries a concession period of up to 35 years to satisfy the projected passenger load for the next three decades and also to ensure that the facilities and services offered at the airport meet international standards.
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The development of associated infrastructure and the installation of the necessary equipments to fulfil the required standards of services will also be a part of the contract.
Work will include construction and expansion of new and current passenger terminals, in addition to the development of airside facilities, including the apron, runway and taxiway.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) and the transport agency are working on introducing night-landing operations at the airport by the end of this month.
The Business Mirror quoted transportation secretary Emilio Abaya as saying: "We are incorporating an infrastructure expansion component into the operations contract that we will bid out in December."
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By GlobalDataThe minister also said that the government had completed the installation of air navigation and airfield ground lighting system at the gateway in Mindanao to strengthen the airport’s operations. Evening flights are expected to start by the end of November, which would increase the flight options for passengers and help in decongesting the airport during the day.
Before night flights can be introduced, the airport will be inspected by officials from the Filipino Department of Transportation and Communication and Caap to make sure that the systems have no defects.
Standard guidelines will be prepared for arrival and departures.
"Night flights mean more flights and more options for passengers," added Abaya.
"As the gateway to Northern Mindanao, this development will spur greater economic activity to the bustling business and tourist destinations in Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Iligan and neighbouring areas."
According to the latest figures, the airport will serve 2.58 million passengers by 2017.
