Continuing its series of improvements at Laguindingan International Airport (LIA), Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, has recently implemented several upgrades to the airport’s airside area.
An airport’s airside is defined as the area beyond the passenger terminal, and is frequented by arriving and departing airplanes. The recent upgrades are part of AIC Airports’ bid to increase safety, efficiency, and day-to-day reliability at LIA, to support a smoother travel experience for passengers.
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“While these improvements take place behind the scenes, they play a critical role in delivering a seamless passenger journey at Laguindingan International Airport. In keeping with our overall vision for Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports, safer and more efficient airside operations translate to more reliable flights and an overall better airport experience,” said AIC Vice President and Head of Airports Rafael M. Aboitiz.
At LIA’s apron level or the paved area designated for aircraft parking, new and refreshed markings have been installed to provide clearer guidance for aircraft and ground personnel. These improvements help streamline aircraft movement on the ground, contributing to more efficient turnarounds and minimizing potential delays.
To further enhance safety, additional Foreign Object Debris (FOD) bins have been deployed across LIA’s airside areas. By making it easier to keep operational zones free of loose materials, risks to aircraft are reduced, leading to safer takeoffs and landings.
These latest airside upgrades build further on recently completed runway works at LIA, which have included the repainting of apron bollards and pedestrian lanes, as well as runway inspections, rubber removal, and crack repairs to ensure optimal surface conditions for aircraft operations.
AIC Airports Vision: World-Class Filipino Gateways
AIC Airports (currently composed of LIA, Bohol-Panglao International Airport or BPIA, and Mactan-Cebu International Airport or MCIA) is currently undertaking the development and modernization of LIA and BPIA over the short- to medium-term beginning 2025, through a broader transformation under the multi-year concession agreements awarded by the government in 2024.
Through airport public-private partnerships, AIC Airports aims to strengthen domestic and regional connectivity, support local tourism, and contribute to economic development by enabling more efficient movement of people and commerce – connecting people, places, and possibilities.
United under a single vision, AIC Airports is developing a growing network of world-class airports across the Philippines, with these gateways having collectively served around 16 million passengers by end-2025, accounting for over 20% of the country’s passenger traffic.
Starting 2025 and in partnership with relevant local government units, the Department of Transportation, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (for MCIA), AIC Airports has begun introducing modernization initiatives aimed at further elevating the passenger experience and strengthening the global competitiveness of Philippine airports.