Laoag: The ongoing improvement of the Laoag International Airport is almost 50 percent complete, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc announced on Friday. "Today, we opened part of our new arrival hall at the Laoag International Airport featuring a skylight and accented with dark purple and dark green arcs," Manotoc stated.

According to Philippines News Agency, the second phase of the project, which involves the acquisition of land for a new and bigger passenger terminal building, has begun. The upgraded facilities aim to improve travel convenience and enhance local tourism. To boost the viability of air travel in this part of Luzon, the airport has been allocated PHP2 billion for its upgrade to accommodate bigger airplanes.

Improving regional connectivity is a key project of the Marcos administration to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila. The Laoag airport improvement includes the rehabilitation of the terminal building, asphalt overlay of the runway, provision of a baggage carousel, and construction of the Department of Transportation - Project Management Office.

Additional enhancements such as a turning pad, runway strip grade correction, and apron expansion are also part of the development. A parallel taxiway will be established, which involves building a concrete box culvert, concrete pipe conduit, and concrete open canal to improve the airside facilities of the gateway. The contractor has 270 days to complete the Laoag airport development project.