THE PASSENGER terminal expansion of Davao International Airport (DIA) is now in the structural phase, an official from the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI said on Friday.
Arturo Milan, chairman of the Infrastructure Development Committee of RDC XI, said the project is now in the structural phase.
“The expansion is ongoing and expected to be completed by December next year,” Milan said during the Business Matters forum at Hukad, Abreeza.
Milan said the terminal expansion is expected to positively impact tourism in the region and in Mindanao, with Davao airport to open more direct routes.
At present, DIA has a capacity of around three million passengers annually.
The P650 million terminal expansion project will expand the floor area from 17,500 sqm to 25,910 sqm, representing a 48% increase by the time of its expected completion in December 2026.
Through the expansion, it will accommodate an additional 700 passengers, bringing its seating capacity to 1,500.
“With the additional 1,000 square meters of international terminal, this will handle additional passenger room, which for me is good,” he said.
The expansion involves a new wing with a separate cargo-handling system and carousel. Presently, international inbound passengers claim their baggage in the domestic area.
Milan said the expansion will serve as a stopgap to address heavy traffic while the Davao International Airport modernization is still in the pipeline.
