AboitizInfracapital (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, formally took over the operations and management of Bohol Panglao International Airport (BPIA) on June 16, 2025, as part of a push to modernize the Philippines’ aviation infrastructure and support its booming tourism sector.
The move marks AIC’s third airport under management, following Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and Laguindingan Airport, solidifying its role as a major player in the country’s airport privatization programs.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) transferred control of BPIA during a ceremony at the airport’s passenger terminal, led by CAAP Deputy Director General Danjun Lucas.
Attendees included AthanasiosTitonis, CEO of AboitizInfracapital Cebu Airport Corporation, which operates MCIA, and Ronald Mangahas, AIC Airports Service Company Head of Operations and Security.
The handover follows a 2024 agreement signed at Malacañang, witnessed by Bohol’s top government officials, aligning with the Philippine government’s strategy to enhance airport operations through public-private partnerships.
Inaugurated in 2018, BPIA replaced the outdated Tagbilaran airport and serves as the primary gateway to Bohol.
As the ninth busiest airport in the Philippines, BPIA is poised for major upgrades under AIC’s management.
The company plans to invest P4.53 billion over 30 years to rehabilitate and expand the airport, focusing on improving passenger experience and boosting capacity to meet growing demand.
AIC’s blueprint includes expanding the passenger terminal, constructing new landside and airside facilities, and installing advanced equipment to streamline operations.
Within two years, BPIA’s annual passenger capacity is expected to rise by 25% to 2.5 million, with a long-term goal of accommodating 3.9 million passengers by 2030.
“This rehabilitation will enhance the check-in process and overall passenger experience, propelling tourism growth in Bohol,” said AIC President and CEO CosetteCanilao.
The takeover comes at a pivotal time for Bohol, where tourism is a cornerstone of the province’s economy.
In 2023, Bohol’s economy grew by 6.6%, outpacing the national rate of 5.5%, driven by a 20.4% surge in the transport sector and a 27.9% increase in tourism activity.
The province welcomed over 1.4 million visitors in 2024, according to the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office, underscoring the need for enhanced infrastructure to sustain this growth.
By adding BPIA to its portfolio, AIC strengthens its foothold in the Visayas, a region critical to the Philippines’ tourism and economic development.
The Philippine government has increasingly turned to private operators like AIC to modernize its airports, addressing capacity constraints and improving service quality amid rising air travel demand.
The Department of Transportation reported that the country’s airports handled 47.8 million passengers in 2024, with tourism contributing 8.6 trillion pesos to the economy, or roughly 15% of GDP.
AIC’s successful management of MCIA, which won the “Best Airport in Asia” award in the 10-15 million passenger category at the 2023 Routes Asia Awards, sets a precedent for its ambitions at BPIA.
As global and domestic travel rebounds, AIC’s investment in BPIA is expected to bolster Bohol’s appeal as a world-class destination, supporting the Philippines’ goal of attracting 12 million foreign tourists by 2028 under its National Tourism Development Plan.