Laguindingan Airport (Misamis Oriental)

Laguindingan Airport

The PhP7.85 billion Laguindingan Airport is the first airport in Northern Mindanao that serves the cities of Cagayan de OroIligan, and Marawi, as well as the provinces of Misamis OrientalLanao del Norte and Bukidnon. Mindanao’s second-busiest airport (after Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City), it is classified as a Principal Domestic Airport Class 1 by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

This airport, sitting on a 4.17 sq. km. (1.61 sq. mi.) site, is 46 kms. (29 mi.) from Cagayan de Oro and 57 kms. (35 mi.) from Iligan City. it replaced both the old, worn-out Lumbia Airport (now Lumbia Airfield, a military air base for the Philippine Air Force) in Brgy. Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro and Maria Cristina Airport in Brgy. Maria Cristina, Iligan City.

Here is the historical timeline of the airport’s construction:

  • On January 10, 2006, the Laguindingan Airport Development Project was inaugurated, with groundbreaking ceremonies presided by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
  • By July 2007, the construction of the 4.4-km., 4-lane access road had started to connect the new airport to the national road.
  • On August 30, 2007, the cost of the airport project (US$09 million or 7.853 billion) was duly approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board.
  • In early 2008, grading of the airport site area, headed by the Department of Transportation and Communications and its foreign and local consultants, South Korea-based Yooshin Engineering Corporation and Ortigas CenterPasig-based SCHEMA Konsult, Inc. respectively, and Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Company(as the general contractor for the project), was
  • On June 13, 2013, the airport was inaugurated by President Benigno Aquino III
  • On June 15, two days after its inauguration, the airport was opened.
  • In August 2013, the Project Development and Monitoring Facility Board approved the revision of the operations and maintenance of the airport.
  • By December 2014, the installment of the Instrument Landing System and other equipment was completed.
  • On March 12, 2015, the airport began to accommodate night flights and operating hours were increased, from the previous 6 AM –6 PM daily schedule, to 5 AM–9 PM.
  • In September 2017, Ayala Land (which owns 183 of the 417 hectares of land acquired by the government to develop the airport complex), is set to build its first industrial estate outside Luzon within the planned aerotropolis around the airport.
  • On October 20, 2017, Cebu Pacific made Laguindingan Airport its seventh hub, with its wholly owned subsidiary Cebgo adding flights to Caticlan and Dumaguete at the same time.
  • On February 26, 2019, Aboitiz Infra Capital Inc. was granted by CAAP an Original Proponent Status (OPS) for its unsolicited proposal for the airport’s upgrade, expansion, operations, and maintenance.

One of two conveyor belts for baggage claim

The airport has a single 2,100 m. x 45 m. runway which can accommodate four takeoffs and landings an hour and features a cargo terminal that has a built up area of 350 sq. m.; a 46,150 sq. m. apron area for Code C/E aircraft (10,000 sq. m. for ATRs); 23 m. wide taxiway and facilities for general aviation and ground support facilities.

The 7,184 sq. m., 1.5-level very clean and modern passenger terminal building, overlooking the sea, can accommodate 2,000 passengers a day and 1.6 million passengers a year. It has 2 conveyor belts for baggage claim and two passenger boarding bridges.

Branches of Seattle’s Best Coffee and Kenny Rogers at the Pre-Departure Area

Its Pre-Departure Area, at the second floor, has branches of Kenny Rogers and Seattles Best Coffee.  As of 2019, Laguindingan Airport was the 6th busiest airport in the country, with an estimate of 2,000,000 passengers passing through it.

Pre-Departure Area

It serves flights from Manila, Davao City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Bacolod City and Zamboanga City through Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines or PAL Express and Air Asia.

One of two jet bridges service a PAL Express jet

Laguindingan Airport (IATA: CGY, ICAO: RPMY): Brgy. Moog, LaguindinganMisamis Oriental. Open daily, 4 AM- 11 PM.

Bohol–Panglao International Airport

Panglao International Airport

The PHP8.9 billion (US$169 million) Bohol–Panglao International Airport (also known as New Bohol International Airport), on a 216-hectare area in Panglao Island, serves as the gateway to Tagbilaran and the rest of mainland Bohol for domestic air travelers, replacing Tagbilaran Airport (which is 10 times smaller), to support Bohol’s increased passenger traffic due to tourism.

This airport is officially classified as the international airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and though Philippine Airlines ended its Tagbilaran-Seoul flights on February 9, 2019, it welcomed the twice weekly (Mondays and Fridays) Royal Air Philippines’ Hong Kong-Bohol-Hong Kong flights which started last September 30.

Covered area in front of the terminal building

Bohol’s new international airport was partially funded with PHP5.862 billion (US$123.5 million, about 79% of its total project cost) by an official development assistance (ODA) loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the remaining amount coming from the general appropriations fund of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTr). JICA also  provided JPY4.37 billion ($38.96 million) for the second phase of the airport project.

The airport apron

A Japanese consortium of Chiyoda Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation was the prime contractor for the project. EEI Corporation, the sub-contracting partner, handled the civil works while the design and consultancy work on the projectwas awarded to Japan Airport Consultants (JAC) in association with Phil JAC.

The airport was inaugurated on November 27, 2018. After the DoTr upgraded the airport’s navigational equipment to allow it to handle planes landing at night, the Bohol gateway began operating flights up to 10 p.m. on September 1, 2019.

Passenger boarding bridge

The BPIA (IATA code: TAG) has a 2.8 km. (9,184 ft.) long asphalt runway with a width of 45 m. (147.6 ft.) and running in a 03/21 direction. It has a 55,585 sq. m. concrete apron that features four parking bays for aircraft as large as the Airbus A330 or a maximum of seven parking bays for narrow bodied aircraft and is flanked by two taxiways which allows 10 takeoffs and landings per hour.

Bridge

Currently, the airport’s parking tarmac can hold, at a time, up to seven Airbus A321 aircraft or four Airbus A330 or Boeing 777 aircraft, enough to handle the deluge of foreign and local travelers even during peak seasons. The airport also has enough space to build another terminal in case expansion is needed in the future plus the runway could also still be extended up to 3.2 kms., making it possible to accommodate as many as 3.4 million passengers annually.

Baggage handling conveyor belt

The airport, dubbed as the first eco-airport in the Philippines and the country’s green gateway, boasts of environment-friendly features with advanced Japanese technology such as:

  • A photo voltaic power generation system set-up that aims to eventually power all of the airport’s energy requirements
  • A rainwater catchment mechanism that would utilize the abundant rainwater that the province gets for various uses
  • A sewerage disposal system that is at par with those often found in eco-conscious Scandinavian nations
  • An energy-efficient air-conditioning system, powered by solar energy, is available only in the pre-departure area.  The airport’s primarily uses  natural ventilation.
  • Geotextile sheets are used in the soaking yard to avoid the drainage water from seeping into the surroundings.
  • Energy-saving features integrated in the airport’s design include installation of LED lights, natural lights and ventilation for most public areas.

The single-level passenger terminal, spread over 8,500 sq. m., has a multi-curved roof that appears to be floating over the building and takes inspiration from the rolling Chocolate Hills, one of the province’s famous landmarks. The external 1,958 sq. m. covered area in front of the terminal building is dedicated for sending off and welcoming passengers’ relatives.

This new international airport can annually accommodate 2,000,000 passengers, more than double the 800,000 capacity of the decommissioned Tagbilaran Airport (the provincial government is eyeing to manage the 26-hectare property and convert it into an information technology hub or a commercial park).

BPIA’s location also makes it ideal to divert aircraft bound for Cebu (it is only 90 kms. away, way nearer than Manila or Clark, which are 600 and 700 kms. away, respectively) in case the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, a gateway to the Central Philippines for international tourists, in Mactan is closed due to unfortunate circumstances. Panglao is also accessible by fast craft from Cebu City.

Bohol–Panglao International Airport: Panglao; 6340 Bohol. Mobile number: (0936) 277-9019.

Melbourne Airport (Australia)

Melbourne Airport

Our gateway for our week long visit to Melbourne was to be Melbourne Airport (IATA: MEL, ICAO: YMML), colloquially known as Tullamarine Airport.  After an 8-hour, non-stop flight from NAIA Terminal 3, it was almost midnight when our Cebu Pacific Airbus A321 plane landed in this airport’s Terminal 2 (one of the airports four terminals) which handles all international, and limited domestic, flights out of Melbourne Airport.

Cheska, Grace, Bryan and Jandy

The terminal has 20 gates with aero bridges. On arrival, we streamed on to the first floor to connect with the current first floor arrivals deck. Departures take place on the lower deck (similar to the A380 boarding lounges currently in use at Gates 9 and 11).  All gates, including 18 and 20, are now handling passengers.

Cathay PacificMalaysia AirlinesQantasSingapore AirlinesAir New Zealand and Emirates all operate airline lounges in this terminal. The terminal contains works by noted Australian Indigenous artists including Daisy Jugadai Napaltjarri and Gloria Petyarre.

Here are some interesting trivia regarding this international airport:

  • It is the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne
  • Melbourne is the second busiest airport in Australia for passenger movements, behind Sydney and ahead of Brisbane.
  • It opened in 1970 to replace the nearby Essendon Airport (which was officially designated an international airport in 1950).
  • Melbourne Airport is the main international airport of the four airports serving the Melbourne metropolitan area, the other international airport being Avalon Airport.
  • The airport comprises four terminals: one international terminal, two domestic terminals and one budget domestic terminal.
  • The airport has its own suburb and postcode—Melbourne Airport, Victoria (postcode 3045).
  • In 2016-17, Melbourne Airport recorded around 25 million domestic passenger movements and around 10 million international passenger movements. In that year there were 239,466 aircraft movements in total.
  • The Melbourne–Sydney air route is the third most-traveled passenger air route in the world.
  • The airport features direct flights to 33 domestic destinations and to destinations in the Pacific, Europe, Asia, North America and South America.
  • Melbourne Airport is the number one arrival/departure point for the airports of four of Australia’s eight other capital cities.
  • Melbourne serves as a major hub for Qantas and Virgin Australia, while Jetstar Airways and Tigerair Australia utilize the airport as home base.
  • Domestically, Melbourne serves as headquarters for Australian airExpress and Toll Priority and handles more domestic freight than any other airport in the nation.
  • Melbourne Airport, originally called Melbourne International Airport, is commonly referred to as Tullamarine or simply as Tulla to distinguish the airport from the other three Melbourne airports: AvalonEssendon and Moorabbin.
  • Tullamarine is a name derived from the indigenous name Tullamareena.
  • Melbourne Airport is categorized as a Leased Commonwealth Airport.
  • The airport was the first in Australia to be capable of handling the A380.
  • It the first airport in Australia to receive, in 2004, an ISO 14001 accreditation, the world’s best practice standard.
  • The Melbourne FIR center controls 6% of the world’s airspace (Victoria, Tasmania, southern New South Wales, most of South Australia, the southern half of Western Australia and airspace over the Indian and Southern Ocean).
  • The airport is the home of the Canberra, Adelaide and Melbourne approach facilities, which provide control services to aircraft arriving and departing at those airports.
  • The airport is curfew-free and operates 24 hours a day (although, between 2 AM and 4 AM, freight aircraft are more prevalent than passenger flights).

Jandy and the author

Here’s the historical timeline of the airport:

  • In February 1958, the search for a replacement for Essendon commenced when a panel was appointed to assess Melbourne’s civil aviation needs.
  • In 1959, the Commonwealth Government acquired 5,300 ha. (13,000 acres) of grassland in then-rural Tullamarine.
  • In May 1959 it was announced that a new airport would be built at Tullamarine
  • On November 27, 1962, Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced a five-year plan to provide Melbourne with a A$45 million “jetport” by 1967.
  • In November 1964, the first sod at Tullamarine was turned. In line with the five-year plan, the runways at Essendon were expanded to handle larger aircraft
  • In October 1964, Ansett Australia launched the Boeing 727 there, the first jet aircraft used for domestic air travel in Australia.
  • On July 1, 1970, Prime Minister John Gorton opened Melbourne Airport to international operations ending Essendon’s near two decade run as Melbourne’s international airport. Essendon still was home to domestic flights for one year.  On opening, Melbourne Airport consisted of three connected terminals: International in the centre, with Ansett to the South and Trans Australia Airlines to the North. The design capacity of the airport was eight Boeing 707s at a rate of 500 passengers per hour.
  • On June 26, 1971, Essendon’s airport operations was transferred to Melbourne Airport with the first arrival of a Boeing 747 occurring later that year. In the first year of operations, Melbourne handled six international airlines and 155,275 international passengers.
  • In 1973, minor expansion works was completed allowing Boeing 747s to serve the airport.
  • By the late 1980s, peak passenger flows at the airport had reached 900 per hour, causing major congestion.
  • In 1988, the Australian Government formed the Federal Airports Corporation(FAC), placing Melbourne Airport under the operational control of the new corporation along with 21 other airports around the nation.
  • In 1989, expansion of the Ansett domestic terminal was approved
  • In 1991, the expansion was completed with the addition of a second pier for use by smaller regional airlines.
  • In 1991, work on an upgrade of the international terminal commenced.
  • In 1992, Terminal 1 passed to Qantas when it acquired Trans Australia Airlines.
  • In late 1993, the ‘SkyPlaza’ retail complex was completed on a site flanking the main international departure gates.
  • In April 1994, the Australian Government announced that all airports operated by FAC would be privatized in several phases.Melbourne Airport was included in the first phase, being acquired by the newly formed Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited for $1.3 billion.
  • Between 1995 and August 1997, the multi-storey carpark outside the terminal was completed at a cost of $49 million, providing 3,100 parking spaces, the majority undercover. This initially four-level structure replaced the previous open air car park outside the terminal.
  • On June 30, 1997, the transfer was completed on a 50-year long-term lease, with the option for a further 49 years.
  • In 1995, the new three-level satellite concourse was opened at the end of the existing concourse. Diamond shaped and measuring 80 m. (260 ft.) on each side, the additional 10 aerobridges provided by the expansion doubled the international passenger handing capacity at Melbourne Airport.
  • In October 1997, improvements on the original Terminal 1 commenced.
  • In January 1999, work commenced on the six-storey, 276-room Hilton Hotel (now Park Royal) above the car park
  • In late 1999, improvements on the Qantas domestic terminal (Terminal 1), featuring a second pier, stands for 9 additional aircraft, an extended access roadway and the expansion of the terminal, was completed at a cost of $50 million.
  • In mid-2000, the Hilton Hotel was completed at a cost of $55 million.
  • In December 2000, the Domestic Express Terminal (the first passenger terminal facility to be built at Melbourne Airport since 1971), located to the south of the main terminal building and built at a cost of $9 million, was opened.
  • In 2004, revenue from retail operations at Melbourne Airport broke the $100 million mark for the first time this being a 100% increase in revenue since the first year of privatization.
  • In 2004, the expansion of car parks continued with a $40 million project commenced, doubling the size of the short term carpark with the addition of 2,500 spaces over six levels, along with 1,200 new spaces added to the 5,000 already available in the long term car park.
  • In 2005, the airport undertook construction works to prepare the airport for the arrival of the double-decker Airbus A380. The main work was the widening of the main north–south runway by 15 m. (49 ft.)
  • In May 2005, over a 29-day period, the improvements were completed. It included the construction of dual air bridges (Gates 9 and 11) with the ability to board both decks simultaneously to reduce turnaround times, the extension of the international terminal building by 20 m. (66 ft.) to include new penthouse airline lounges, and the construction of an additional baggage carousel in the arrivals hall.
  • On June 5, 2008, it was announced that the airport would install a Category III landing system (the first of its kind in Australia), allowing planes to land in low visibility conditions, such as fog.
  • In July 2005, the current terminal numbering system was introduced. Previously, they were known as Qantas Domestic, International and South (formerly Ansett Domestic).
  • On November 14, 2005, the A380 made its first test flight into the airport.
  • In March 2006, the airport undertook a 5,000 sq. m. (54,000 sq. ft.) expansion of Terminal 2, and the construction of an additional level of airline lounges above the terminal.
  • In June 2007, a A$5 million refit for Terminal 4 began along the lines of the budget terminal model at Singapore Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
  • In 2008, a further 25,000 sq. m. (270,000 sq. ft.) expansion of Terminal 2 commenced, costing $330 million.
  • On November 23, 2007, Tiger Airways Australia operated its first domestic flight at Terminal 4.
  • On May 15, 2008, the A380 made its first passenger flight into the airport when a Singapore Airlines Sydney-bound flight was diverted from Sydney Airport because of fog.
  • Beginning in October 2008, Qantas became the first airline to operate the A380 from the airport, flying nonstop to Los Angeles International Airport twice a week. This was the inaugural route for the Qantas A380.
  • On March 2010, the new, $10 million Category III landing system was commissioned.
  • In 2011, the expansion of Terminal 2, adding 5 additional aero bridges on a new passenger concourse, and a new 5,000 sq. m. (54,000 sq. ft.) outbound passenger security and customs processing zone, was completed.
  • In March 2012, airport officials broke ground for the expansion of Terminal 4 facilities to accommodate Tiger Airways Australia and Jetstar Airways flights
  • On August 18, 2015, the new Terminal 4 was opened.
  • In November 2015, Jetstar moved into Terminal 4.

Melbourne Airport’s terminals have 53 domestic and 15 international gates plus five dedicated freighter parking positions (which host 21 dedicated freighter operations a week) on the Southern Freighter Apron.  This airport is located 23 kms. (14 mi.) northwest of the city centre, adjacent to the suburb of Tullamarine, and is accessible via the Tullamarine Freeway.

Terminal 1, hosting domestic and regional services for Qantas Group airlines, Qantas and QantasLink (which is located to the northern end of the building), has a Qantas Club, Business Class and a chairman’s lounge; a wide range of shops and food outlets (situated at the end of the terminal near the entrance into Terminal 2); 16 parking bays served by aero bridges (12 are served by single aero bridges whilst four are served by double aero bridges); and five non-aero bridge gates (used by QantasLink).Departures are located on the first floor, while arrivals are located on the ground floor.

Terminal 3 opened with the airport as the Ansett Australia terminal, is now owned by Melbourne Airport. Terminal 3 is home to Virgin Australia (three gates are dedicated to it) and has eleven parking bays served by single aero bridges and eight parking bays not equipped with aero bridges.

 

Terminal 4, originally called the Domestic Express or South Terminal, was originally constructed for Virgin Blue (formerly Virgin Australia, it eventually moved into Terminal 3 following the demise of Ansett) and Impulse Airlines. It is dedicated to budget airlines and is the first facility of its kind at a conventional airport in Australia.

Due to the basic facilities, lack of jet bridges, and fewer amenities and retail outlets compared to a conventional terminal, lower landing and airport handling fees are charged to airlines. Unlike in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, however, this terminal is located next to the main terminal building. The new, 35,000 sq. m. (380,000 sq. ft.) Terminal 4, currently used by Tigerair Australia, Regional Express Airlines, Jetstar (now has triple the number of gates it had at Terminal 1) and Airnorth, is and linked “under one roof” with Terminal 3.

This airport has won national and state tourism awards namely:

  • In 1997 and 1998, the International Air Transport Association ranked Melbourne among the top five airports in the world.
  • In 2002 and 2004, respectively, Singapore Airlines presented the airport with the Service Partner Award and Premier Business Partner Award.
  • In 2003, Melbourne received the IATA’s Eagle Award for service and two National Tourism Awards for tourism services.
  • In 2006, the airport won the Australian Construction Achievement Award for the runway widening project (dubbed “the most outstanding example of construction excellence for 2006”).
  • In 2012, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport was awarded by Skytrax for the best airport hotel in Australia/the Pacific. According to Skytrax World’s Top 100 Airports List, Melbourne Airport has improved from ranked 43rd in 2012 to 27th in 2018.

Melbourne Airport has two intersecting runways: one 3,657 m (11,998 ft) north–south and one 2,286 m (7,500 ft) east–west. In addition to the onsite control tower, the airport is home to Melbourne Center, an air traffic control facility that is responsible for the separation of aircraft in Australia’s busiest flight information region (FIR), Melbourne FIR.

One freeway off ramp runs directly into the airport grounds, and a second to the south serves freight transport, taxis, buses and airport staff. It also has five car parks, all of which operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As of 2019, there is no railway connection between the airport and the city.

Melbourne Airport is served by four hotels – the six-storey, 280-room Parkroyal Hotel (originally a Hilton but  relaunched as the Parkroyal on April 4, 2011), located 100 m. (330 ft.) from Terminal 2 atop the multi-level carpark; Holiday Inn, located 400 m. (1,300 ft.) from the terminal precinct; Ibis Budget, located 600 m. (2,000 ft.) from the terminals; and Mantra Tullamarine, located 2 kms. (1.2 mi.) from the terminal precinct.

Melbourne Airport: Victoria 3045, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9297 1600. Website: www.melbourneairport.com.au.

Tokyo Here We Come!!!

Our first clear view of the Japanese countryside from our plane window

Our direct Cebu Pacific (5J-5054) flight to Tokyo left Manila’s NAIA Terminal 3 by 6:15 AM and our flight took us nearly four-and-a-half hours.  We had a pre-ordered breakfast on board our plane.  Our plane landed at Narita International Airport by 11:30 AM (Tokyo time which is one hour ahead of Manila).

Narita International Airport

Grace, Bryan and Cheska exiting the plane

Kyle, Jandy, Cheska and Bryan now inside Narita International Airport

After gathering our luggage and passing through Airport Immigration, Cheska booked all of us on an Airport Limousine Bus that would bring us, from the airport, to Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu which was near the hotel we were to stay in for four nights – Centurion Classic Akasaka.

Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Centurion Classic Akasaka

Airport Limousine bus

Fare was ¥3,100 per adult (¥15,500 total for me, Grace, Jandy, Cheska and Bryan) and ¥1,550 for my 6 year old grandson Kyle.  We could have taken the Metro and save more than half what we paid, but we decided against it as we were traveling with heavy and bulky luggage. Taking the taxi or Uber would have been more expensive as we would have to board two vehicles.

On board…..

Our airconditioned limousine bus soon arrived and, after our luggage was loaded, we took our seats inside the bus which left promptly at 1:30 PM. Normally, travel time from Narita International Airport to Asakasa (59.7 kms. away) takes just a little over an hour but our bus trip took 30 mins. longer as the bus made a number of stops to drop off passengers at different hotels.  We arrived at the Akasaka Excel Hotel by 3 PM and made the short 5-min. walk to our hotel.

Alighting from the bus at Excel Hotel Akasaka Tokyu

Walking towards our hotel

After checking in at our 5th floor room (Room 509) and freshening up abit, we again went down to the hotel lobby and walked to a nearby 7-11 convenient store where we bought packed lunches, sandwiches and 1-liter bottled water.  That done, we gain walked back to our hotel and had our first meal in Tokyo in the airconditioned comfort of our room.

Centurion Hotel Classic Akasuka

Centurion Classic Asakasa: 107-0052 Tokyo Prefecture, Minato-ku Akasaka 3-11-8, Japan.  Tel: 1-866-599-6674.

Incheon International Airport (South Korea)

Incheon International Airport

Incheon International Airport (IIA) (IATA: ICN, ICAO: RKSI), sometimes referred to as Seoul–Incheon International Airport, is the largest airport in South Korea. Located west of Incheon‘s city center, the airport is located on an artificially created piece of land between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands.

Originally separated by shallow sea, the area between the two islands was reclaimed for the construction project, effectively connecting the two islands. The reclaimed area. as well as the two islands, are all part of Jung-gu, an administrative district of Incheon.

L-R: Jandy, Grace, Cheska and Kyle

The airport opened for business on March 29, 2001, replacing the older Gimpo International Airport which now serves mostly domestic destinations plus shuttle flights to alternate airports in several East Asian metropolitan areas including Tokyo and Osaka, both in Japan; Beijing and Shanghai, both in China; and Taipei in Taiwan.

A Duty-Free Shop

Incheon International Airport’s terminal has 111 boarding gates altogether, with 44 in Terminal 1, 30 in Concourse A (connected to terminal 1), and 37 in Terminal 2. The airport serves as a hub for international civilian air transportation and cargo traffic in East Asia. Located 48 kms (30 mi.) west of Seoul, the capital and the largest city of South Korea, Incheon International Airport is the primary airport serving the Seoul Capital Area.

The author and son Jandy

Here are some interesting trivia regarding this airport:

  • The airport is the main hub for Korean AirAsiana AirlinesJeju Air, and Polar Air Cargo.
  • In 2016, the Incheon International Airport was the fifth busiest airport in the world and third in Asia by cargo traffic, and 19th in the world and eighth in Asia by passenger traffic. In 2017, the airport improved to being the world’s fourth busiest airport by cargo traffic (and still third in Asia).  It remained the world’s 19th busiest airport by passenger traffic (but dropped to ninth in Asia).
  • In 2016, the airport served a total of 57,849,814 passengers. In 2017, it increased its total to 62,082,032 passengers.
  • It is ranked among the fastest airports in the world for customs processing. It is claimed, by airport authorities, that average departure and arrival takes 19 minutes and 12 minutes, respectively, as compared to worldwide average of 60 minutes and 45 minutes, respectively.
  • It is rated as the world’s cleanest airport
  • It is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world.
  • In 2012, in the World Airport Survey results published by Skytrax, it was ranked as the world’s best international transit airport.
  • Incheon International Airport claims that it has only a 0.0001% baggage mishandling rate.

Since its opening, Incheon International Airport has been the recipient of a number of awards including:

  • For 11 consecutive years, from 2005 to 2016, the airport held the record of being ranked the Best Airport Worldwide by the Airports Council International(ACI)’s Airport Service Quality Award.
  • Since 2012, due to the Airports Council International(ACI)’s decision to discontinue the Best Airport Worldwide category, it has also been rated the world’s best among airports of its size (25–40 million passengers) and region (Asia-Pacific).
  • In January 2007, it won the GT Tested Award for Best Airport in the World.
  • In January 2008, it was named by Global Traveler (GT) as the Best Airport in the World for the second straight year.
  • In 2013, Business Traveller rated its duty-free shopping mall as the world’s best for three years in a row.

Kyle watching planes landing and taking off

The airport has a golf coursespa, private sleeping rooms, an ice skating rink, a casinoindoor gardens, and a Museum of Korean Culture.

Vienna International Airport (Austria)

Vienna International Airport

Our 11-day France-Austria tour was now at an end and it was now time to return to Manila. Grace cousins Popong and Freddie Flores picked us up at Azimut Vienna Delta Hotel and brought all of us to Vienna International Airport (German: Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, Slovak: Letisko Viedeň-Schwechat; IATA: VIE, ICAO: LOWW) where we were to depart on our 10:40 PM Emirates Airlines flight (EK-126).

Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Azimut Vienna Delta Hotel

This international airport, located in Schwechat, 18 kms. (11 mi.) southeast of central Vienna and 57 kms. (35 mi.) west of Bratislava. is the country’s largest airport and serves as the hub for Austrian Airlines and Eurowings Europe as well as a base for low-cost carriers LaudaLevel and Wizz Air.

The airport, featuring a dense network of European destinations as well as long-haul flights to AsiaNorth America and Africa, is capable of handling wide-body aircraft up to the Airbus A380. In 2018, it handled 27 million passengers (a 10.8% increase compared to 2017).

Our three-hour long stay at the airport wasn’t tedious as we were seated, while waiting for our flight, on comfortable chairs with plugs plus there was free and good internet connection without time limit. The airport also had 70 duty free shops in a shopping area located just after ticket control counters.  However, we need to check in before getting to shops, not pass security check nor passport control.

There were also a number of food and beverage outlets, of various standards and available both airside and landside, ranging from McDonald’s and Burger King to concessions run by Vienna’s famous delicatessen and restaurants. Though the burger places had the same prices as in the outside world, their upscale restaurants were pricier than in the city. For those on a tight budget, there were supermarkets such as Billa (a general grocery store, at check-in area 1, with Austrian Mozartkugeln and small snacks) and Spar (supermarket at arrival area) were you can buy food for normal supermarket prices.

A food and beverage outlet inside the airport

Here is the historical timeline of the airport:

  • In 1938, it was built as a military airport
  • During World War II, the airport was used as the Heinkel-Süd facility, Heinkelfirm’s southern military aircraft design and production complex.
  • In 1945, it was taken over by the British and became RAF Schwechat under the occupation of the country.
  • In 1954, the Betriebsgesellschaft was founded and the airport replaced Aspernas Vienna’s (and Austria’s) principal aerodrome. There was just one runway
  • In 1959, the runway was expanded to measure 3,000 m. (9,843 ft.) and the erection of the new airport building was started.
  • In 1972, another runway was built.
  • In 1982, the airport was connected to the national motorway network (Ostautobahn).
  • In 1986, the enlarged arrivals hall was opened
  • In 1988, Pier East, with 8 jet bridges, was opened.
  • On December 27, 1985, the El Alticket counter was attacked by Abu Nidal, a Palestinian terrorist organization that simultaneously conducted a terrorist attack at Fiumicino Airport in Rome.
  • In 1992, the new Terminal 1 was opened
  • In 1993, the shopping area around the plaza in the transit area of the B, C and D gates was opened.
  • In 1996, Pier West, with 12 jet bridges, started operating.
  • In 2006, the 109 m. (358 ft.) tall control tower started operating and a VIP- and general aviation-terminal, including a separated apron, opened.
  • From 2004–2007, an Office Park was erected.
  • On June 5, 2012, the new Austrian Star Alliance Terminal (Terminal 3, named Skylink during its construction) was opened, which enables the airport to handle up to 30 million passengers per year.
  • In January 2013, Terminal 1 underwent refurbishment.
  • In July 2019, the refurbishment of Terminal 2 started (planned to reopen in the end of 2020).

 

L-R: Grace, Cheska and Freddie

The airport has four terminal buildings.  Terminal 1 (mainly used by some One World and SkyTeam airlines), Terminal 2 (currently closed, pending refurbishment) and Terminal 3 (Austrian Star Alliance Terminal, the airport’s newest facility), which all connect to the five concourses, are directly built against each other.

The additional Terminal 1A, hosting check-in facilities for a number of low-cost carriers, is located in a stand alone building opposite Terminal 1. The central arrivals hall for all terminal areas is located in Terminal 3. Terminal 3, with its adjoining Concourses F and G,  is used by the Austrian Airlines Group, most Star Alliance members, and a number of other carriers including EmiratesEl AlKorean AirRoyal Jordanian and Qatar Airways.

Duty-free shopping area

Concourse B, in the basement of Concourse C, features Gates B31–B42 (boarding by buses) for Schengen destinations. Concourse C (Pier West), for Schengen destinations, features Gates C31–C42 (jetbridges), C71–C75 (buses, Schengen only). Concourse D (Pier East, formerly Concourse A, is for non-Schengen destinations with shared passport control at the entrance of Pier East.  It features Gates D21–D29 (boarding via jetbridges), D31–D37 (boarding via buses), and D61–D70 (buses).

Concourse D, to be refurbished as part of the refurbishment program announced in March 2016, will be equipped to handle the Airbus A380. Concourse F, at Level 1 of Pier North, is used for Schengen destinations and consists of Gates F01-F37 (jetbridges and buses).  Concourse G, at Level 3 and basement of Pier North, is for non-Schengen destinations.  Shared passport control, at the entrance of Level 3, features Gates G01-G37 (jetbridges and busgates) and G61-67 (boarding via buses).

L-R: Cheska and Kyle

Its control tower allows a free overview of the entire airport area and offers a night laser show, which should welcome the passengers even from the aircraft. Its Office Park offers 69,000 sq. m. (740,000 sq. ft.) of rentable space.

Vienna International Airport: 1300 Schwechat, Austria.  Tel: +43 1 70070.  Website: www.viennaairport.com.

Hamad International Airport (Doha, Qatar)

Hamad International Airport

After a long, 9-hour flight from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, our Qatar Airways plane made its first stopover at Hamad International Airport (HIA) in the Arabian Gulf city of Doha, Qatar, the airline’s home, arriving there at 3 PM (Doha time).

The undulating roof of the passenger terminal

Here, we were to have an over 16-hour layover prior to continuing on our journey to Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. Opened just last April, 30 2014 with the ambition of turning Doha into a global aviation hub serviced by Qatar Airways, this barely 5-month old international airport, designed by global design studio HOK, is one of the most advanced airports in the world. About 65% of the construction workers who built this airport are Filipinos.

Qatar Airways aircraft parked at the airport’s apron

Built over 22 sq. kms. (8.5 sq. mi.), half of which is on reclaimed land, this majestic structure’s expressive architecture reflects its coastal location.  The undulating rooftop silhouette of this dramatic, curving building ripples away from the concourse in swooping peaks and troughs that recalls the ocean waves of the Arabian Gulf and sand dunes.This undulating super roof can be experienced by departing passengers in the light-filled departure hall while the undulating roof line is mimicked by vaulted metal ceilings in other concourses.

We probably arrived outside of its peak period as we walked through its beautiful hallways and lounges. As it was completely quiet, we were thinking we were the first to ever set foot in the place. There were no jarring announcements to disturb the calm.  Being new, every gleaming surface of this hyper-clean airport’s lavish departure and arrival areas was spotless and its high ceilings and expansive concourses gave it a sense of grandeur.

The steel-framed glass wall, from the curbside arrival area through the ticketing hall, provided us with unobstructed views enabling us to easily find our destinations. The east and west facades have high-performance glass that controls solar heat gain and glare.

The sleek metal and glass surfaces contrast with a vast wood ceiling that provides visual warmth in the longest concourse. One thing I noticed was the deliberate lack of ornamentation, with graceful structural arches left unadorned.  Terrazzo was used in high-circulation areas while carpet covered ancillary spaces.

Grand foyer of Duty-Free shopping hall

On the first floor, under a vast central skylight that provides visual access to one of five concourses, transfer passengers such as us, joined originating passengers, as we moved through an open immigration area. The two large transfer hubs were linked by an automatic people mover.

The arriving passengers then progress to the ground-floor baggage hall and exit to a triple-volume meeters and greeters hall which has direct access to taxi pavilions and an intermodal transportation hub. As we had hours to kill, we spent time exploring the airport. One thing that make HIA so unexpectedly cool is their groundbreaking pieces of modern art that, oftentimes, stop passengers in their tracks.

Lamp Bear (Urs Fischer)

The “Lamp Bear,” at the grand foyer of the airport’s duty-free shopping hall, is a giant, bronze, surreal, yellow teddy bear sitting under a black lamp, one of three creations by subversive Swiss artist Urs Fischer. This arresting sight, standing 7 m. tall and weighing approximately 18-20 tons, was previously displayed at the Seagram Building‘s plaza in New York City before it was purchased at a Christie’s auction for US$6.8 million by a member of the Qatari royal family.  It at has a near-constant knot of people in front of it, grabbing selfie shots.

Playground (Tom Otterness, 2014)

Throughout the activity nodes in Concourse C, near gates C2, C3 and C8, are a series of eight large-scale interactive bronze sculptures done, by Tom Otterness, with slides and seats for limbs and play-pen-like chambers for torsos. Children and adults engage, interact and find recreational enjoyment with these bronze figures that appear to be in play with one another.

Author posing beside a McLaren MP4-12C Coupe on display at the world’s largest TAG Heuer airport boutique

The communal area seating, with all Italian-style chrome and leather, was fancy.  Come evening, we got some shut eye on comfortable recliners within the peaceful surroundings of the quiet lounge. There are also family lounges for those travelling with kids. These quiet rooms, as well as the spacious hold rooms, passenger activity nodes and 17 airline lounges, are all enveloped by glass.   Natural light and dramatic evening desert views are provided by skylights and interconnecting glass ceiling “zippers.”

Duty-free shops

The free Wi-Fi at Hamad International Airport was fast and unlimited (simply connect to “HIAQatar Complimentary WiFi”). For standard passengers like us just passing through, there were plenty of the usual airport restaurant and retail options plus numerous upscale boutiques including Gucci, Burberry, Coach, Rolex, Swarovski and others.  A lot of Filipinos also work in these shops.  On another stopover here on my return to Manila, one of them assisted me when I bought a Sony A-3000 digital SLR camera in one of these shops

Hamad International Airport: Doha, State of Qatar. Tel: +974 465 66 66 (office) and +974 462 29 99 (flight information).  Fax: +974 462 20 44.  IATA Code: DOH.  ICAO Code: OTHH. E-mail: diainfo@qatarairways.com.  Website:  www.dohahamadairport.com.

Georgia on My Mind (Republic of Georgia That Is)

The Philippine delegation at Gudauri, Republic of Georgia. L-R: Pancho Piano, Riva Galveztan, the author, Mel Dizon-Dulalia and Buddy Cunanan

Upon the invitation of Mr. Thelmo “Buddy” O. Cunanan Jr., honorary consul of Georgia in the Philippines, I joined a group that would cover the Colors of Hope exhibit of Mr. Pancho Piano, the first Filipino artist to officially present his work in Georgia and the entire Caucasus region. Aside from Buddy, Pancho and I, also joining the group were Ms. Riva M. Galveztan (health food advocate) and Prof. Melissa “Mel” Dizon-Dulalia. Our Republic of Georgia odyssey was to last 11 days (November 24 – December 4, 2014).

Check out “The Colors of Hope Exhibit

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga

On the first day of our trip, I met up with Buddy at Resorts World where a bus was to take us Diosdado Macapagal International Airport at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.  Along the way, we picked up Pancho Piano at Centris Mall in Quezon City.

The author at the check-in counter of the airport

Upon arrival at Clark, we met up with Mel at the airport.  Riva was to meet us in Tbilisi on another flight the day after our arrival in Tbilisi. While waiting for our flight, all four of us had a late breakfast at the VIP 1 Lounge of the airport.

On board our Qatar Airways plane

We all left the airport on the 10:50 AM Qatar Airways (QR 931) flight on board a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. A rather long 9-hour flight brought us to Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, our first stopover, arriving there at 2:50 PM (Doha time). Here, Pancho, Mel and I were in for a long 17-hour layover.   Buddy opted to leave the airport and check in at a hotel in Doha.

Check out “Hamad International Airport

View of Doha from our plane

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar

We whiled the time away admiring the artwork, taking turns sleeping on airport lounge chairs and, come morning, having breakfast at a Burger King outlet.

The author, Pancho Piano and Mel Dizon-Dulalia at Hamad International Airport

Buddy joined us the next morning in time for our 7:45 AM (QR 251) connecting flight to Tbilisi, this time on board an Airbus A320 aircraft. Normal flight time is 3 hours and 15 minutes but we made a 1-hour stopover in Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku (Republic of Azerbaijan) to offload as well as load some new passengers.

Stopover in Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Azerbaijan

Touchdown at Tblisi International Airport

We arrived in Tbilisi International Airport by lunchtime where we were met by Ms. Ruby Bebita, a Filipina working in Tbilisi, who assisted us in getting a place to stay in the city. After buying and installing local SIM cards at the airport, we boarded a taxi to bring Pancho, Mel and Buddy to a hostel, near Meidan Square, while I stayed at the nearby Envoy Tours Hostel.

Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Envoy Tours Hostel

Arrival at the hostel.  Ruby is the lady at left

Envoy Tours Hostel: 45 Betlemi Street (on Junction to Orbiri St. leading up to the Narikala Fortress), 0105 Tbilisi City, Georgia. Tel: +995-322-920-111.  Website: www.envoyhostel.com.

New Bacolod-Silay International Airport (Negros Occidental)

Grace, Jandy, Cheska and  I decided to attend the 2010 Locsin Reunion in Silay City, the first for all of us.  Jandy, Cheska and I took the morning Cebu Pacific Air flight while Grace would follow in the afternoon.  Before 2007, flights to Bacolod City arrived at the old Domestic Airport.  Not anymore as we arrived via the new Bacolod-Silay International Airport, now the primary gateway to Negros Island.

New Bacolod-Silay International Airport


The airport, built by Japanese firm Takenaka-Itochu Joint Venture at a cost of PhP4.3 billion, was started on August 2004 and completed on July 16, 2007.  On September 26, 2007,  a small, 14-seater Reims-Cessna F406, piloted by Steve Gray of New Zealand,  landed at the airport, the first aircraft to do so.

Interior of airport terminal

On January 18, 2008, the airport officially opened and started operations and, that same day, a Cebu Pacific Air Airbus A319-100 (Flight 5j-473), piloted by Silaynon native Capt. Allan Garces, landed at the airport, the first commercial flight to arrive.  The first international flight to arrive was a chartered plane from Kazahkstan which landed on January 2 the following year.  


Bacolod-Silay International Airport: Brgy.   Bagtic, Silay City 6116, Negros Occidental.

Davao International Airport (Davao City, Davao del Sur)

Davao International Airport (Francisco Bangoy International Airport)

Our gateway to Samal Island and its Pearl Farm Resort was the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, the main airport serving Davao City and the entire Davao Region in the Philippines,  also commonly known as Davao International Airport (IATA: DVO, ICAO: RPMD).

Check out “Pearl Farm Resort

Here are some interesting trivia regarding the airport:

Here is the historical timeline of the airport:

  • In the 1940s, Don Francisco Bangoy donated the land where the airport sits on. At the time it began operation, the airport merely consisted of a 1,200 m. long unpaved grass runway with quonset huts serving as terminal buildings.
  • Throughout much of the 1940s and 1950s, Philippine Airlines and the Philippine Air Force provided air service to the city.
  • By 1959, the complex consisted of a small control tower and several low-rise buildings.
  • During the latter stages of Paciano Bangoy’s gubernatorial term, right of way and access to the terminal buildings and the airport was improved through further donation of land by Bangoy.
  • In 1980, a new terminal, designed by Filipino architect Leandro Locsin, with a capacity of one million passengers, was constructed and the runway was progressively extended from its original length of 1,200 m. to its current 3,000 m.. Then-Congressman Manuel Garcia, whose congressional district covers the airport perimeter, funded both projects.
  • In 2000, construction began on a new, larger Php2.7 billion (US$128 million) terminal building which would consolidate the Php15 million interim international terminal and the airport’s then-existing terminal.
  • In 2001, the new 3,000 m. long runway (extended from its previous length of 2,500 m. to accommodate future international flights) was completed.
  • On December 2, 2003, the new terminal was inaugurated.
  • On November 12, 2007, Cebu Pacific announced the airport as its third hub.
  • On March 26, 2018, Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, announced the airport as its third hub.

One of four jet bridges

The two-level Malay architecture-inspired passenger terminal, with double the capacity of the old terminal, has an approximate area of 17,500 sq. m. (188,000 sq. ft), four times larger than the old terminal. It is fully computerized, more secure and has more commercial spaces for concessionaires (approximately 9,000 sq. m. or 97,000 sq. ft.) of gross leasable area.

Interior of terminal

For passenger boarding, it has four jet bridges plus a Flight Information Display System and closed-circuit television system that complements the terminal’s security system. The latest navigational, security and baggage handling equipment also complements the added capacity.

To handle a steady flow of passenger traffic, the terminal has 14 domestic and 14 international check-in counters equipped with electronic weighing scales and conveyors and a computerized its baggage handling system. It also has 2 arrival areas (domestic and international), with 2 baggage conveyors each. The cargo terminal building, covering almost 5,580 sq. m. (60,100 sq. ft.), can handle up to 84,600 metric tons (83,300 long tons; 93,300 short tons) of cargo annually.

Besides the main terminal building, there are also new support facilities like the Administration Building, Airfield Maintenance Building, Central Plant Building, Hangar for Military and Training aircraft and Fire/Crash/Rescue Building. It has an 800-slot car parking area and 4 slots for shuttle buses. It has a 3-megawatt (4,000 hp) standby power generator.

The airport has a single 3,000-m. (9,800 ft.) long by 45-m. (148 ft.) wide precision runway that can handle basically all passenger wide-bodied aircraft (including the Airbus A380).  Two turning pads at each end of it, which help aircraft make a back track, complement the runway.

The installation of a new instrument landing system (ILS), for both Runways 05 and 23, upgraded its compliance to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) operating category-Precision Approach Category 1. Depending on size, it can accommodate 8 to 10 aircraft landings per hour and has the equivalent 9 gate holding areas for those aircraft.

The airport has also 2 dual access taxiways. Taxiways A3 and A4 are used to access the new ramp and terminal while taxiways B and C are used for access to the old airport ramp.

Today, Philippine Airlines, All Nippon, Cebu Pacific Air and South East Asian Airlines operate more frequently here. The most popular sectors from Davao are Davao to ManilaDavao to Cebu with 375, 152 weekly flights respectively.

Francisco Bangoy International Airport: Daan Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Sasa, Buhangin District, Davao City 8000.  Tel: (082) 234-0418.