Aklan SP slams Boracay airport internationalization

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan on Tuesday slammed the impending entry of international flights into the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (GPRA) in Malay town, citing its already-high volume as well as cost concerns in relation to the province’s already-existing international airport.

In a special session on Tuesday, the provincial board approved Resolution No. 2022-289, formally opposing the entry of flights from overseas to the airport in Brgy. Caticlan, which primarily serves the world-famous tourist destination of Boracay Island.

A press release by the provincial board on its Facebook page on Wednesday indicated that these new flights “will not only exacerbate the already congested condition of the smaller airport and deprive the national government of much-needed revenues to recoup what it has already spent for [the Kalibo International Airport].”

The Kalibo International Airport in Aklan’s capital town, which is the only airport in the region catering to international flights, has 8 domestic and 2 international flights daily.

International flights to the region’s other international airport, the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, are still suspended.

Tourism in mainland Aklan would suffer if international flights were to be introduced and expanded to the Malay airport, the provincial board’s resolution read.

It cited data detailing the existing discrepancy over arrivals in the two airports this year, where the Kalibo airport welcomed only 239,824 domestic and 40,862 international arrivals as of Nov 30, 2022.

This is dismal compared to the 925,471 arrivals at the GPRA via 36 daily domestic flights from Manila, Cebu, and Clark airports.

“The opening of international flights at the GPRA will likewise derail the attainment of the Provincial Government of Aklan’s long-term plan for the wholistic, balanced and inclusive growth of its local economy by strengthening the economic activities and the development of tourism within mainland Aklan,” the resolution added.

The resolution likewise urged retaining the status quo and keeping all international flights landing in Kalibo airport, which boasts of 24-hour capabilities and night landing instruments crucial for both domestic and international flights.

“It will have serious adverse repercussions to Aklan’s economy by depriving businesses, including hotels, transport services, restaurants, and other tourists oriented and dependent establishments and workers, relying on both domestic and international passengers at KIA of their source of income,” the board added.

Relatedly, the Sanggunian in its regular session on Monday authorized Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

This is in relation to the acquisition of lots for the Kalibo airport, with additional funding amounting to P450 million under Right of Way in the 2021 continuing appropriations specifically for the airport.

The Office of the Press Secretary reported on Tuesday an announcement from the Bureau of Immigration that it was to welcome a Royal Air flight from Taipei to Caticlan on the same day, but there were neither flight tracker nor local media reports as to the arrival.

The same report also indicated that Tigerair Taiwan is slated to inaugurate a flight to Kalibo on December 29, adding to its existing flights to Busan and Incheon in South Korea.