Revamped Antique airport set to open in October

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Evelio B. Javier (EBJ) Airport in Barangay Funda-Dalipe is set to open its newly upgraded passenger terminal by mid-October, following a coordination meeting between top transportation officials and Antique Governor Paolo S. Javier last week.

Senior officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) agreed to transfer all operational offices from the old airport to the new passenger terminal before October 1.

The agencies will be given two weeks to complete the relocation and demolition of old facilities in preparation for the airport’s formal inauguration.

“Any date after October 15, the airport can already be inaugurated and begin operations,” DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation Jim Sydiongco confirmed.

Following the discussions, the group inspected the EBJ Airport facilities and the newly built Salazar Elementary School, which was relocated from its former site behind the old runway to make way for the airport’s expansion.

Javier welcomed the development, stressing that the airport’s operationalization would strengthen Antique’s connectivity while boosting tourism and economic opportunities.

Among the major upgrades aimed at modernization is the extension of the runway.

The runway was originally 1,200 meters in 2016, extended to 1,400 meters by 2018, and further lengthened to 1,700 meters in 2023.

Around PHP 1.6 billion to PHP 1.7 billion has already been spent on the airport’s upgrade since then.

Other improvements include the construction of a new passenger terminal building, a control tower, and a firehouse.

Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, the airport secured PHP 125 million to complete the terminal building and extend the runway further to 1,800 meters.

This extension will allow the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, including Airbus models.

Currently, the airport accommodates three weekly Philippine Airlines flights between Manila and San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.