San Miguel starts new Caticlan airport terminal to serve 7 million by 2027
A glimpse at the future terminal building at Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan (DOTr photo)
Ramon S. Ang-led San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is set to build a new passenger terminal at Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, the main gateway to Boracay Island, which is expected to increase the airport’s capacity to seven million passengers starting 2027.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. joined Ang in a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, July 14, to signal the start of the terminal’s construction.
Last year, SMC tapped Megawide Construction Corp. to oversee the design and construction of the terminal building.
SMC, under its infrastructure unit’s subsidiary Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., operates Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, also known as Caticlan Airport or Boracay Airport.
In his speech, Marcos challenged Megawide to complete the new terminal within 24 months—or in under 18 months if feasible.
The President said the new structure will significantly enhance the travel experience to the world-famous beach destination, serving as a major boost to both the local and national economy.
“Tourism right now contributes close to eight percent to our GDP [gross domestic product] and that is something we want to increase and that is why these projects that we have are also important,” he said.
Last year, Boracay Airport was the fourth-busiest airport in the Philippines, handling over three million passengers.
Once opened in 2027, the new terminal will more than double its passenger capacity to seven million.
The two-story terminal building will have six passenger boarding bridges and 36 individual check-in counters, which can carry a simultaneous capacity of 3,000 passengers at any given time.
Other features include enhanced check-in counters, security screening areas, baggage handling systems, and improved boarding gates.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said these modern facilities will minimize queues and waiting times, ensuring efficient passenger flow.
“Through this project, Boracay will strengthen its position as a premier destination while boosting the tourism economy and improving travel comfort for both domestic and international passengers,” said DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon.
Last month, Dizon said the new terminal would help attract more tourists to Boracay after a slight decline in tourist arrivals in 2024.
Government data showed that the island welcomed 2.07 million tourists last year, down by two percent from 2.12 million in 2023.