DoTC officials to inspect Kalibo airport facilities

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Today, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya will look into the facilities of Kalibo International Airport (KIA), according to Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores.

           PHOTO RONILYN CLARITO

The governor said he will discuss with DoTC Secretary Abaya the long-term plans of his administration for the Kalibo International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country. 

On Wednesday here, Miraflores met with DoTC Undersecretary Julianito Bucayan, Jr., in-charge of project implementation and DoTC Assistant Secretary Edwin Lopez to assess the ongoing airport development.

Miraflores said the DoTC fully supports the development of the airport in the capital town of Kalibo. The agency, he stressed, has allocated funds for the next two years, which would involve expansion and improvement of airport facilities.   

Miraflores said the existing airport terminals have the capacity of handling 700,000 passengers yearly. 

“But for the past few years, the number of passenger traffic is increasing and there is a need to expand the facilities to provide convenience for two million passengers annually,” Miraflores said. 

 

Miraflores said the DoTC officials also requested the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to fast track the construction of the new airport terminal building, which is originally expected to be completed by October 2014.  
 

While the new terminal building is being constructed, the additional construction of apron is also underway and is targeted for completion in the next two months.

As secondary hub of AirAsia, up to 320 weekly flights from Korea, China, Taiwan, and Malaysia are expected to come to Kalibo International Airport by July this year.  

With direct and chartered flights, Aklan will ultimately draw more tourists, investments and jobs for the locals, Miraflores added.