DOTr: More airports to be night-rated

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) intends to make more airports capable of receiving and launching flights at night starting this year to speed up air travel.

The DOTr, through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), said it is working continuously to make more airports in the country night-rated.

The program is expected to be completed by 2021.

According to the agency, the Naga Airport, Tuguegarao Airport, Cotabato Airport, Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Cauayan Airport, Dipolog Airport, Ozamiz Airport and Pagadian Airport are among the airports whose night rating are currently being processed.

At present, 18 out of 42 airports have been night-rated, according to the CAAP.

In 2017, four airports were night-rated, namely Legazpi, Roxas, Dumaguete and Caticlan, while four more were added last year.

“The authority is also proud to share that as of Nov. 30, the country has 18 airports capable of operations at night, allowing airports to operate for longer hours and enabling these gateways to service more flights, passengers and cargo,” the CAAP said.

These airports include, Clark International Airport, Davao International Airport, Kalibo International Airport, Laoag International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Puerto Princesa International Airport, General Santos International Airport, Zamboanga International Airport, Iloilo International Airport, Bacolod-Silay Airport, Butuan Airport, Laguindingan Airport, Tacloban Airport, Roxas Airport, Dumaguete Airport, Caticlan Airport and Legazpi Airport (with limitations).

“Furthermore, CAAP looks forward and upward to 2019 as it prepares for more project completion and inaugurations,” it said.

This year, the agency said passenger terminal buildings in Busuanga Airport, Camiguin Airport, Catarman Airport, Marinduque Airport, Ormoc Airport, Ipil Airport, Mati Airport and Siargao Airport are likewise set to be opened.