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Sayak Airport Set For Class II Upgrade

3 October 2017



Sayak Airport in Siargao Island is set for aerodrome upgrade as passenger traffic soars since it re-opened to the public in 2010 according to the Transport Department (DOTr).

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade disclosed last week that they already have the "Masterplan" in place for Sakay Airport Development projected to cost around ₱5.9 Billion based on 2013 price indices from a ₱7 million feasibility study completed in 2014 by consulting firm Philippines-Japan Airport Consultants Inc. (PHILJAC).

Tugade said the airport development will be undertaken in two phases. The first phase which already started, include airside developments for runway extension up to 2km. x 30m. and will cost around ₱1.2 Billion, and the second phase is allotted for runway, apron, and terminal expansions, including procurement of navigational and meteorological equipment's which costs another ₱4.7 Billion.


DOTr has been extending the community classified airport since 2013 as Sayak airport only has 1 kilometer x 30 runway good for turboprop flights with less than an hour range. It cannot handle turboprop flights originating from Manila due to runway limitations. It has since been extended to 1,300 meters on a ₱350 million budget enabling it to support BAE 146 operations.

In 2015 GAA, the airport was allocated another ₱264.1 million for runway extension up to 1,500 meters construction of which is scheduled to be done in the fourth quarter of this year.

Commercial flights started flying the airport in 2011 as Cebu Pacific launched twice-a-week ATR72-500 Cebu-Siargao services on March 4. Flight frequency were increased in 2014.

The airport saw its first jet land in February this year as Skyjet offered direct thrice a week flights to Manila on BAE146-200. Cebu Pacific intends to offer direct turboprop service from Manila on December 17 while Philippine Airlines intends to offer turboprop services from Cebu on Q300 from December 1.

Completion of the phase 1 project will upgrade the airport to Class II status from the present community type, while phase 2 project completion will upgrade the airport to international standard Class 1 airport.

Sayak airport is expected to be reclassified to Class 1 international standard airport when finally completed.

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