New Caticlan Airport Terminal to Boost Boracay Travel by 2028

If you’ve ever queued up at the modest terminal of Caticlan Airport after a dreamy holiday in Boracay, you’ll know it’s due for an upgrade. Good news: a massive transformation is finally in motion. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is officially starting construction on a new passenger terminal building at Caticlan Airport, and it’s poised to change the way we travel to one of the country’s most beloved beach destinations.

Image credit: SMC Infrastructure Official Website

Set to break ground by June or July 2025, the project is expected to be completed before the Marcos administration ends in 2028, with some sources indicating a target finish by the end of 2027. Once complete, the brand-new terminal is designed to serve up to 7 million passengers annually, which is a significant leap from the current capacity.

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What travellers can expect from the new terminal

Image credit: My Boracay Guide Official Website

SMC awarded the contract for the new Boracay airport terminal to Megawide Construction Corp. in November 2024. Known for its involvement in the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Megawide brings experience and a solid reputation in airport infrastructure. Operations of the terminal will be managed by Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of SMC Infrastructure.

This is not just about capacity. The new terminal is expected to vastly improve the passenger experience, offering smoother arrivals and departures, better facilities, and a much-needed boost in service efficiency. For Filipinos travelling from other regions or international tourists eager for some island time, this upgrade makes visiting Boracay far more convenient and enjoyable.

Caticlan Airport, also known as Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, was the country’s first privatised airport and remains the most direct access point to Boracay. The expansion is part of a broader national plan to revitalise the Philippines' airport infrastructure, with airport terminal construction projects lined up across the country.

More airport upgrades on the horizon

Image credit: LMP 2001 via Wikimedia Commons

Beyond Caticlan, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to privatise 10 more regional airports through public-private partnerships by 2028. These include airports in Iloilo, Davao, Siargao, Laoag, Busuanga, Bicol, Tacloban, Bacolod-Silay, General Santos, and Puerto Princesa. The government is exploring a bundling strategy, offering multiple airports in one contract, to attract more investors. Notably, the Villar Group has already submitted a proposal for Iloilo Airport.

This initiative complements SMC’s growing airport portfolio, which includes the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan (set to handle 100 million passengers yearly) and the rehabilitation of NAIA, which will soon have a new terminal with a 35 million passenger capacity.

Meanwhile, the Aboitiz Group recently took over the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, with expansion plans set to increase its capacity to 3.9 million passengers by 2030.

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A smoother journey to the islands

For travellers craving a better gateway to paradise, these developments are right on time. The new Caticlan Airport terminal signals a major step forward, not just for Boracay tourism, but for the future of air travel in the Philippines.

If all goes as planned, flying to the country’s top island destinations will soon be faster, more efficient, and much more pleasant.