Iloilo Airport Sees Passenger, Flight Surge in 2024

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo, experienced a significant increase in flights and passenger traffic in 2024, based on data from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The airport recorded 11,270 incoming flights and 11,288 outgoing flights in 2024, representing increases of 12.72% and 13.13%, respectively, compared to 2023’s 9,998 incoming and 9,978 outgoing flights.

December was the busiest month, with 1,425 aircraft movements, while February had the least at 706.

The higher flight volumes translated to increased passenger traffic, with 1,391,611 incoming passengers and 1,395,532 outgoing passengers in 2024. This marked a 19.97% increase from 1,159,965 incoming passengers and a 19.26% rise from 1,170,088 outgoing passengers in 2023.

December also saw the highest passenger numbers, with 161,635 arrivals and 140,892 departures, while February had the lowest, with 90,444 incoming and 94,224 outgoing passengers.

CAAP Area VI manager Eusebio Monserate Jr. attributed this growth to the ongoing trend of “revenge travel” following restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The trend of transportation now is that people choose to travel by air compared to land and sea because it is the most convenient, the fastest, and there isn’t a huge difference in fares,” Monserate said in a Zoom interview.

The airport saw a boost in international flights with Cebu Pacific Air resuming its Iloilo-Hong Kong and Iloilo-Singapore routes in late 2023. Monserate, however, noted that even without these flights, domestic traffic continued to rise.

“Based on the data, our per-month traffic count grew. For example, in October 2023, we recorded 854 incoming aircraft movements. By October 2024, it increased to 973, which contributed to the passenger growth,” he said.

The efficient utilization of the airport’s operational hours played a crucial role in handling the increased passenger traffic. The airport has seven parking bays for aircraft and a terminal capacity for around 1,000 passengers at a time.

“If we distribute flight slots well across the 24-hour operation, this allows us to increase passenger volume,” Monserate explained.

Upcoming Developments

The pre-departure area of the airport is set for a one-year expansion project starting in the first quarter of 2025. Upgrades will include additional seating capacity, an escalator, enhanced cooling systems, and overall aesthetic improvements.

In April, Scoot, the low-cost carrier of the Singapore Airlines Group, will launch new Iloilo-Singapore flights. Preparations are underway, including new check-in counters and repositioned customs, immigration, and quarantine areas.

Monserate also hinted at plans to connect Iloilo to another Asian city, but he declined to provide further details.

The Iloilo International Airport continues to position itself as a growing hub for domestic and international air travel, reflecting the region’s rising economic activity and tourism appeal.