MANILA, Philippines — The long-awaited Bukidnon Airport is moving closer to full operation, with the Marcos administration seeking an additional ₱300 million in the proposed 2027 national budget to help complete the airport and its remaining requirements.
The funding proposal comes as the government accelerates work on the airport in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, with officials targeting initial commercial operations before the end of 2026 and expanded jet operations in 2027.
The project is expected to give Bukidnon a direct air connection for the first time, potentially cutting travel time, improving tourism access and strengthening trade and investment opportunities across the province.
₱300 million proposed for the 2027 budget
The additional ₱300 million is part of the government’s proposed spending for 2027 and is intended to help bring the airport project to completion.
It is important to note that the amount is a budget proposal, not yet a released appropriation.
The move reflects the administration’s effort to accelerate major transportation infrastructure projects and improve connectivity outside Metro Manila.
Bukidnon Airport is among several regional aviation projects being advanced as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) seeks to expand airport capacity and make domestic air travel more accessible.
First flights could come before 2026 ends
The airport has already reached an important milestone.
In January 2026, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez led a test landing at the airport, demonstrating that the runway could accommodate aircraft and allowing officials to assess the facility’s readiness.
At the time, the DOTr set November 30, 2026 as the target for completing the airport’s facilities.
The government’s immediate goal is to begin operations using turboprop aircraft, with commercial services targeted for December.
However, the airport’s development does not end with the first passenger flight.
Bigger aircraft are coming later
The Bukidnon airport is designed to eventually accommodate larger aircraft.
According to the Philippine Information Agency, the facility is designed for Airbus A320-class aircraft, but the initial operating phase will focus on smaller turboprop planes.
Larger jet operations are expected to follow once the necessary facilities and runway improvements are completed, with the runway extension targeted for the second quarter of 2027.
That means residents could see a phased opening rather than an immediate transition to full-scale jet operations.
Why the airport matters to Bukidnon
For travelers heading to Bukidnon today, the nearest major aviation gateway is Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.
From there, passengers traveling onward to Bukidnon can face a lengthy land journey.
The new airport is expected to eliminate much of that inconvenience by bringing air connectivity directly into the province.
The Philippine Information Agency reported that the project is expected to improve accessibility while supporting tourism, trade, investment and economic activity in Bukidnon.
For a province known for agriculture, tourism destinations and expanding economic activity, direct air access could become an important piece of its development strategy.
The airport is part of a bigger Mindanao connectivity push
Bukidnon is not the only airport receiving attention.
The DOTr has been accelerating improvements at several airports around the country, including Busuanga, Siargao and Laguindingan, as the government seeks to increase passenger capacity and accommodate larger aircraft.
The Manila Times reported that several airport expansion and rehabilitation projects are being targeted for completion in 2027.
Laguindingan Airport is particularly important to Northern Mindanao because it serves passengers from Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Bukidnon and surrounding provinces.
The airport is already operating beyond its original design capacity, prompting an expansion through its private concessionaire, Aboitiz InfraCapital. Regional officials said the airport’s capacity is expected to increase significantly as part of the broader Northern Mindanao infrastructure program.
A new airport could also change tourism
The government’s push is not only about transportation.
Better air connectivity can make destinations easier to reach, potentially encouraging more tourists and investors to visit areas outside the country’s traditional tourism hubs.
For Bukidnon, direct flights could make attractions such as its mountains, farms, adventure destinations and cultural sites more accessible to visitors from other parts of the Philippines.
Regional officials have similarly linked the airport project to broader economic development and connectivity goals.
From delayed project to potential 2026 opening
The airport has been years in the making.
The project broke ground in 2021 and has since faced the challenges normally associated with large infrastructure projects, including construction requirements and right-of-way concerns.
The first test landing in January 2026 marked a major step forward.
At that time, DOTr officials said the President had directed the department to accelerate the project because of its potential impact on Mindanao connectivity and economic development.
The government is now working against another deadline: getting the remaining airport facilities completed in time for the targeted year-end opening.
The real test begins after the ribbon-cutting
The proposed ₱300-million allocation and the accelerated construction schedule could bring Bukidnon closer to finally having its own commercial airport.
But completing the terminal, runway and supporting infrastructure is only one part of the challenge.
The airport will also need sufficient airline demand, reliable flight schedules, appropriate ground transportation and sustained passenger traffic to reach its economic potential.
If those pieces fall into place, Bukidnon could move from being a province reached primarily by long road journeys to a destination directly connected to the country’s air network.
And with the government now looking beyond the initial 2026 opening toward larger aircraft and expanded operations in 2027, the biggest question may no longer be whether Bukidnon Airport will finally open—but how quickly it can transform the way people travel to and from the province.
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