Caticlan airport expansion project breaks ground to support Boracay tourism

A new passenger terminal is set to rise at the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, as the government and private sector push to enhance connectivity to Boracay and support tourism recovery.

The terminal, expected to be completed by 2027, will expand the airport’s annual capacity to seven million passengers, more than double the 3 million it handled in 2023. The airport is currently the fourth-busiest in the country and serves as the main entry point to the island of Boracay.

The project broke ground on July 14, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) joining executives of the infrastructure unit under San Miguel Corp. (SMC). The company, through subsidiary Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., operates the airport.

Construction is being undertaken by Megawide Construction Corp., which was tapped by SMC in 2023 to design and build the terminal.

In his remarks at the groundbreaking, President Marcos challenged the contractors to complete the structure in under 24 months. He emphasized the terminal’s importance to the national economy, particularly the tourism sector, which contributes nearly 8 percent to the country’s GDP.

“Projects like these are essential to meet our tourism goals. Improved facilities will not only enhance visitor experience but also attract more international arrivals,” the President said.

Once completed, the two-story terminal will feature six passenger boarding bridges, 36 check-in counters, and accommodate up to 3,000 passengers simultaneously. It will also include upgraded security screening areas, baggage systems, and boarding gates, according to the DOTr.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the terminal would help revitalize Boracay’s appeal as a top global destination. The island saw a 2 percent drop in tourist arrivals in 2024, receiving 2.07 million visitors, down from 2.12 million the previous year.

“This expansion will support economic growth and improve passenger flow, while reaffirming Boracay’s status as a premier tourism hub,” Dizon said.

The project is part of broader efforts to modernize Philippine airports and raise the country’s competitiveness in global tourism.