Solon thanks DU30, DOTR for near completion of Bicol int’l airport
ALBAY Representative Joey Salceda expressed elation over the near completion of Bicol International Airport.
Grateful Salceda said the airport will begin its day flights on October 7 and night flights by November 4, while international flights will be available starting May 2022.
Salceda thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade for their efforts in leading the government to complete the Bicol International Airport,
According to Salceda, this is “a longstanding dream of the people of Albay and Bicolandia in achieving its full tourism potential, reducing transport costs, ease travel of OFWs and “to making Albay the country’s Pacific gateway.”
“The opening of the BIA will serve as the biggest economic stimulus in our region as it will accommodate 3,000 passengers per day instead of merely 600 under the domestic Legazpi Airport,” Salceda said.
Salceda added that the annual capacity of the BIA is 2 million passengers, “around 53% more than our foreign tourist arrivals in Albay. So, we can service the other provinces. The airport will certainly be an impetus to creating tourism alliances such as the Almasor, or the Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon grouping that I pioneered as chair of Bicol’s Regional Development Council.”
It will also be listed in the International Civil Aviation Organization by November, and will this be capable of international flights six months after registration, by May 2022.
The airport was first seriously considered by President Arroyo at the urging of Salceda, and its pre-construction phases were fast-tracked during Salceda’s stint as Presidential Chief of Staff to Arroyo.
The airport, with a view of Mayon is dubbed as the “country’s most scenic gateway.”
