Travelers passing through the Laguindingan International Airport (LIA), the primary gateway to Northern Mindanao, can expect smoother operations following the completion of critical infrastructure improvements by its new private operator.
In an emailed advisory, Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) announced it has finished a series of maintenance and repair works at the LIA in Misamis Oriental, just months after officially taking over operations in mid-2025.
According to AIC, the upgrades at LIA include the repair of elevators to improve accessibility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the servicing of baggage carousels to reduce waiting times at the arrival area.
To ensure operational resilience, the operator also conducted assessments of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems to sustain airport functions during power fluctuations – a crucial development for the region’s business and logistics hub.
‘These improvements are important infrastructure upkeep that reflect our shared commitment with the government to make every AIC Airports experience safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable for our travelers,’ said Cosette V. Canilao, AIC President and Chief Executive Officer.
The improvements mark the first tangible results of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between AIC, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
LIA, ranked as the country’s sixth-busiest gateway, is being positioned as a ‘service hub’ to drive business and logistics access across Mindanao.
Canilao noted that these initial repairs are part of a broader modernization plan under the multi-year concession agreements awarded in 2024.
Starting this year and moving into the medium term, AIC plans to introduce larger infrastructure projects, including terminal restructuring and capacity expansion at both airports to accommodate growing passenger traffic.
The operator projects that its network of airports – including Mactan-Cebu International Airport – will collectively account for approximately 16 million passengers by the end of 2025, representing over 20% of the country’s total passenger traffic.