BOHOL — Two of the country's busiest regional airports have together welcomed over a million domestic passengers in the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the strength of local tourism. Laguindingan International Airport and Bohol‑Panglao International Airport, both operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital, recorded a combined 1.02 million domestic travelers. The figures highlight growing demand for direct connections outside Metro Manila.
Rafael M. Aboitiz, AIC vice president and head of airports business, said domestic travel continues to be a strong growth driver. The performance reinforces the importance of regional gateways in linking communities and supporting tourism‑driven economies. The two airports now rank among the country's ten busiest for domestic passengers, serving as vital arteries for both business and leisure travel.
Strong Domestic Demand at Two Key Gateways
Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental welcomed 616,661 domestic passengers in the quarter, making it the seventh‑busiest gateway in the Philippines. The airport serves as Northern Mindanao's primary aviation hub, connecting Cagayan de Oro to Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo. Its growing passenger traffic reflects the region's economic expansion and increasing mobility.
Bohol‑Panglao International Airport followed closely with more than 412,000 domestic passengers, ranking tenth nationally. As the main gateway to the country's first and only UNESCO Global Geopark, BPIA benefits from Bohol's enduring appeal as a premier tourism destination. Direct flights link the island to Manila, Davao, Iloilo, Clark, and El Nido, making it accessible for Filipino travelers seeking nature, culture, and leisure experiences.
Infrastructure Upgrades to Boost Capacity
Both airports are undergoing significant upgrades to accommodate future growth. BPIA's ₱4.53‑billion reconfiguration, approved by the Department of Transportation, will nearly double its annual capacity to 3.9 million by 2030. The first phase aims to raise capacity to 2.5 million passengers within two years. The airport has also achieved an ICAO Category 9 firefighting rating, enabling it to handle larger wide‑bodied aircraft.
Laguindingan International Airport is advancing under a 30‑year public‑private partnership contract signed in 2024. The US$255‑million project is expected to more than double capacity to 3.9 million by this year and eventually to 6.3 million. AIC has already improved terminal layouts, expanded local food and retail options, and strengthened transport links to enhance the passenger experience.
Expanding Connectivity Across the Region
The AIC Airports network, which also includes Mactan‑Cebu International Airport, now supports 29 domestic routes from Cebu, five from Bohol, and four from Laguindingan. Many of these routes are nonstop and exclusive to AIC gateways, allowing faster travel between Visayas and Mindanao. Destinations include Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Zamboanga, and Davao.
Mactan‑Cebu's CEB Connects transfer service already reduces layover times for connecting passengers, while a new air‑to‑sea transfer program will launch later this year. For the tourism sector, seamless connectivity translates into more visitor arrivals and longer stays, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and tour operators across the Visayas and Mindanao.
