THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the expansion and rehabilitation of the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) in Aklan will start today.
In a statement on Sunday, it said construction is set to get under way after the P17-million contract for the project was awarded last month.
“Priority projects in the KIA rehabilitation include the refurbishment of existing passenger terminal building, the repainting of the international passenger terminal building interiors, landside beautification through landscaping, electrical system and air-conditioning system rewiring, and the enhancement of railings and barricades,” CAAP added.
It also noted the construction will cover the re-blocking of the airport’s Apron Pavement which will start on Sept. 4, the Runway Strip Grade Correction which will begin on Nov. 22, and the building of a Power House scheduled on Nov. 24.
“The traffic and passenger movement cutback due to the ongoing Boracay Island closure from April until October this year will significantly allow several projects to be put into action. The CAAP plans to make the most out of the given time and opportunity brought about by reduction of flights,” CAAP said in the statement.
Boracay Island has been closed for tourists since April after President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered a six-month rehabilitation of the island, leading airlines to cancel flights to the area until October.
CAAP said the KIA was able to serve more than 2 million passengers last year, of which 1 million are domestic and almost 1.5 million international. — Denise A. Valdez
