Davao Airport to Undergo Upgrade Soon: CAAP

The Davao International Airport will soon be rehabilitated, a Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) official said Tuesday.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio confirmed to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that there is no need to build a new airport yet since the existing one has not reached overcapacity yet.

There will be an expansion of the terminal and other facilities, improvement in the runway, and communication equipment, Apolonio said.

He added the CAAP Board has recently granted the “original proponent status” (OPS) to Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation to rehabilitate the Davao International Airport.

The proponent is the one that sent the government a proposal to improve the airport, the executive explained.

Apolonio also clarified that being a proponent doesn’t mean that Chelsea Logistics will automatically manage the airport.

“Compared with the Mactan Cebu International Airport which was privatized, Chelsea Logistics will still have to undergo the scrutiny and evaluation of the NEDA (National Economic Development Authority) if it could pass as ‘caretaker’ of the Davao International Airport,” he said.

Meanwhile, Apolonio said Chelsea Logistics sent a PHP49-billion unsolicited proposal to the government for the airport’s rehabilitation.

He clarified, however, that other companies or entities may still send counter proposals.

If there will be others that will send proposals, they can talk with CAAP as they would have to match Chelsea Logistics’ proposal, Apolonio said. (PNA)