Introduction
Air transportation is the fastest of all transport modes. With the island economies of the country, air transportation is an efficient and effective link that would promote new growth centers outside of Metro Manila and contribute to the growth and modernization of industries and tourism throughout the country.
Situational Analysis
The region has seven functional airports, namely: one trunkline airport in Legazpi City; five secondary airports (Daet, Naga, Virac, Sorsogon, and Masbate); and one feeder airport in Bulan, Sorsogon. Each province has one airport, except for the Province of Sorsogon, which has two, namely: Sorsogon and Bulan. Half of these airports have commercial flight services. The ones that do not have commercial flight services are Bacon, Bulan and Daet Airports.
Legazpi Airport is the only trunkline airport in the region, which has better landing facilities that can accommodate medium-sized aircrafts like the Boeing 737 jets. However, Legazpi Airport has several constraints for its expansion and upgrading, like the presence of rivers at both ends of the runway, hill obstruction at the approach and side of the runway, roads all around the runway, squatters and urbanization around the airport. Frequent cancellation of flights during inclement weather and Mayon Volcano activity also affect the region’s airports.
All the seven airports operate only on daytime. With the liberalization of the airlines industry, several airlines like Philippine Airlines, Cebu-Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Laoag Airlines and Aboitiz Forwarders have extended their routes to certain airports in the region.
Two airports in the region need major upgrading that would entail huge financing requirements. These are the Naga Airport which needs to reorient its runway primarily for safety reasons and Masbate Airport which needs to be relocated because of permanent obstruction along its approaches.
During the period, several maintenance projects were undertaken for horizontal and vertical facilities including air navigation facilities.
A new Legazpi Airport of international standards is being proposed by DOTC in Barangay Alobo, Daraga, Albay. The Pre-Feasibility Master Plan Study was already completed by DOTC-ATO and its implementation is being considered for ODA financing. The RDC 5 requested DOTC to conduct feasibility study of the proposed airport to further ascertain its economic viability.
Objectives
Air transportation shall be efficient and effective component of an inter-modal transport system in the region. Airport and airport facilities are envisioned to be adequate, safe and modern.
Strategies
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Develop a new Legazpi Airport of international standards.
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Upgrade existing airports to serve as gateways to growth centers and tourism destinations.
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Encourage airline companies to provide more domestic and affordable flights for inter-provincial and inter-regional routes to cater to tourism and other economic activities.
Major Programs and Projects
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New Legazpi Airport Project in Alobo, Daraga, Albay. This will involve the preparation of a detailed feasibility study.
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Re-orientation of airport runway at Naga Airport (Pili, Camarines Sur).
Relocation of Masbate Airport (Masbate City).
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Development of airport facilities and modernization of air navigational facilities and ground visual aids of the following:
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Legazpi Airport (Legazpi City)
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Daet Airport (Daet, Camarines Norte)
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Naga Airport (Pili, Camarines Sur)
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Virac Airport (Virac, Catanduanes)
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Masbate Airport (Masbate City)
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Bacon District Sorsogon City Airport
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Bulan Airport (Bulan, Sorsogon)
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Conduct of feasibility study on the proposed Libmanan Airport.
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Conduct of feasibility study on the proposed Caramoan Airstrip.
