THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTR) reported that the Bukidnon Airport would be able to accommodate turboprop commercial operations in December 2026.
DOTR gave the contractors until Nov. 30, 2026, to complete the construction of the whole airport to start servicing turbo commercial operations by December.
This pronouncement follows the probing flight in the runway of the airport led by Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez to ensure a safe landing of aircraft.
The ₱2.816 billion airport is being built in Barangay Maraymaray in the municipality of Don Carlos.
Lopez also inspected the arrival area, passenger terminal building (PTB), runway extension, cargo building, and control tower.
“Our president directed us to hasten the construction of the airport since it’s significant for connectivity and the economic benefits of Mindanaoans,” Lopez said. “Like what we did in other regional airports, this Bukidnon Airport is also modern to be more comfortable, accessible, and convenient for our passengers and tourists.”
Following the turboprop commercial operations, the jet operations are set to follow in the first quarter of 2027.
Once operationalized, the airport will service 425 passengers and enable shorter travel times.
Traveling on land between Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro takes more than two hours, and the trip between Bukidnon and Davao City takes 4-5 hours.
The airport is a priority infrastructure project in the expanded North–South Economic Corridor, which is for development in the BIMP-EAGA subregion covering mainland Mindanao and the whole of Sulawesi, Indonesia.
According to the Mindanao Development Authority, the economic corridor is eyed to open market opportunities, tourism, and facilitate trade and investments.
