The Department of Transportation has set a new minimum runway length for airports as it works to upgrade several regional gateways, with a number of projects due for completion in 2027. Longer runways can accommodate larger aircraft, which officials say could help lower fares.
The new standard calls for runways of at least 2,100 meters for new airports. At Busuanga Airport in Palawan, a runway extension is set to finish by early 2027, with terminal capacity expanding sharply to handle more passengers.
Other projects include a runway extension at Siargao, a popular tourist destination, along with lighting that would allow flights to operate later into the evening. Improvements in Bukidnon are also planned to open the area to more air travel.
Upgrading regional airports is part of a broader push to spread tourism and economic activity beyond the busiest hubs. Better facilities can make it easier for airlines to add flights and for travelers to reach more destinations.
The transportation department said the runway standard would guide future airport projects, ensuring new facilities can serve larger planes as demand grows.
Officials framed the upgrades as a way to improve access, support local economies and give passengers more options across the country’s many islands.
