CEBU CITY –Laguindingan International Airport (LIA) and Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) welcomed more than one million domestic passengers during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting their growing importance as regional gateways in the country.
"Domestic travel continues to be a strong driver of growth for Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports, as well as in the communities where we are located. The sustained demand we are seeing at both Laguindingan and Bohol-Panglao International Airports reflects the enduring value of regional connectivity and the growing confidence of travelers exploring opportunities, destinations, and experiences across the country,” said Aboitiz InfraCapital Vice President and Head of Airports Business Rafael Aboitiz.
Latest data showed that combined domestic
passenger traffic at LIA in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental and BPIA in Panglao,
Bohol reached more than 1.02 million travelers in the first three months of the
year.
Meanwhile, BPIA, the country’s 10th-busiest gateway, continues to serve as a vital connection to Bohol, welcoming over 412,000 domestic passengers during the quarter.
As one of the country's premier tourism destinations and home to the country’s first and only UNESCO Global Geopark, Bohol remains a major draw for Filipino travelers seeking leisure, cultural, and nature-based experiences, contributing to stable passenger volumes at BPIA.
In partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol led by Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and the provincial Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), BPIA operator Aboitiz InfraCapital Bohol Airport Corporation recently achieved an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Category 9 airport rescue and firefighting rating for BPIA.
This was made possible through the deployment of an additional Structural Fire Truck by the provincial BFP to complement the airport’s existing two units.
First Japan Flight at Bohol-Panglao International Airport
With its upgraded ICAO rating, BPIA has been able to accommodate higher-capacity wide-bodied aircraft since November 2025, further strengthening the airport’s international capabilities.
BPIA also welcomed its first-ever charter flight from Narita, Japan, and is seen to benefit from the Bohol Provincial Government’s plan to join the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Visa-Free Entry Program for Chinese tourists.
“The Bohol-Panglao International Airport is a
potential additional gateway which can attract more international tourists and
foreign investors. That is why it is a great opportunity if we can avail of
this visa-free program for Chinese tourists. This way, job opportunities will
increase for our job seekers and it will boost our tourism sector,” Aumentado
said in his Facebook post.
As travel patterns continue to evolve, AIC Airports remain focused on enhancing passenger experience through phased improvements and reconfigurations, strengthening operational excellence, and supporting airline and tourism partners in expanding connectivity across key regional destinations through relentless route development synergies.
At present, direct domestic connectivity to key destinations are available for LIA (Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo) as well as for BPIA (Manila, Davao, Iloilo, Clark, and El Nido).
Through its airport portfolio, AIC continues to advance its commitment to building world-class gateways that connect people, enable economic progress, and contribute to the long-term growth of its host regions.
Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) operates the Mactan-Cebu
International Airport in Cebu, Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis
Oriental, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport in Bohol.(Photos: Google Images)
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