The contract for the airport redevelopment had been secured by TransAire Development Holdings Corporation under a build-operate-transfer scheme. TransAire struck a deal with the government to run the airport for 25 years.
The revamped facility is equipped with advanced scanners, computerized check-in counters, two X-ray machines, extra luggage area, ambulance and fire trucks as well as larger waiting areas. The airport’s terminal has also undergone a facelift as part of the project.
Other upgrades to the facility include increasing the width of the existing runway from 950 metres to 2,500 metres. In addition, the facility has incorporated runway lighting and latest night-time navigation systems to facilitate introduction of night-time flights.
The annual capacity of the refurbished airport is expected to escalate from 700,000 passengers to three million passengers post renovation.
Proposals have been put up for rebranding the Caticlan airport as the Boracay Airport. The project received funds from public as well as private enterprises. Overhaul of the facility is due to be fully completed by 2013.
