Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) on Wednesday said the upcoming turnover of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) is set to boost Bohol’s economic momentum.
The company said the planned capacity upgrades at the airport are anticipated to pave the way for expanded tourism and regional growth.
“The modernization of BPIA is not just about upgrading infrastructure—it’s about enabling the continued rise of Bohol as a vibrant tourism and economic hub in the Visayas. We are proud to support the province’s aspirations through transformative infrastructure ecosystems such as BPIA,” Cosette Canilao, AIC president and chief executive said.
Under a 30-year concession agreement, AIC, the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, will formally take over operations of BPIA in June 2025.
Upon turnover, BPIA will join the award-winning Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu and Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental as members of AIC’s growing aviation portfolio.
AIC is set to implement a P4.53-billion investment plan that includes the expansion of BPIA’s passenger terminal building, installation of modern aviation systems, and enhancements to airside and landside facilities.
Within 1 to 2 years of takeover, AIC aims to boost BPIA’s current capacity from 2 million to 2.5 million passengers annually, with future expansions pushing capacity to 3.9 million passengers per year by 2030.
“This project reinforces our goal of elevating airport experiences while contributing to local economies,” Rafael Aboitiz, AIC vice president and head of Airports Business said.
“We look forward to bringing our proven track record at MCIA to Bohol and working with stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the province’s ‘Green Gateway to the World’ and deliver unique Boholano hospitality in our service,” he said.
The modernization of BPIA will complement Bohol’s economic priorities previously identified by the Bohol Provincial Planning and Development Office, which include sustainable tourism, climate-smart agriculture, and micro-enterprise growth.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report, Bohol’s transportation and storage sector grew by 20.4 percent in 2023, while accommodation and food services surged by 27.9 percent, underscoring the province’s readiness for increased tourist arrivals and business activity.
