Baguio eyes commercial operation of Loakan airport

MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Baguio is eyeing the reopening for commercial operations of the Loakan Airport, which conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is proposing to operate and manage, by the second quarter of this year.

“The good news is Mr. Ramon Ang signified his intention for operations and maintenance for that airport. It will also attract other interested parties to participate in the bidding process,” Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said, referring to the president and chief operating officer of SMC.

Magalong said SMC has yet to submit a formal proposal as the city government is still in discussions with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“If the DOTr will allow us to manage the airport, then we will be the one in charge to look for a third party to operate and manage the airport. We have to upgrade the facility. That’s why we are looking for an entity that is willing to have a joint venture with us,” he said.

Magalong cited the clamor among tourists to reopen the Loakan airport.

He said PAL Express is among the airlines looking forward to its reopening.

“Tourists in Davao and Cebu are often discouraged because every time they ask how to get to Baguio City, they are told they have to fly to Manila and travel to Baguio by land,” Magalong said. “It is really important that we open the airport.”

The airport was closed over a decade ago.

Meanwhile, Magalong said the plan to build a cable car system in Baguio is also moving forward, with two international companies expressing interest in the project.

He said they received proposals from a company in Europe and another from China.

The cable car will operate from La Union to Tuba in Benguet and then Baguio to La Trinidad, also in Benguet.