General Santos airport expansion boosts passenger capacity by 150%

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General Santos airport expansion boosts passenger capacity by 150%
The new second floor of the General Santos airport passenger terminal building was inaugurated on November 23 by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. Photo from the Department of Transport.
  • General Santos Airport in Mindanao now accommodates more than 1,000 passengers after expanding its terminal building
  • The airport introduced two new boarding bridges and an expanded ramp, capable of handling five wide-body and two single-aisle aircraft
  • The expanded ramp now accommodates five wide-body and two single-aisle aircraft
  • Six new food and souvenir shops on the second floor aim to meet the needs of waiting passengers and promote local businesses

General Santos Airport has expanded its passenger terminal building (PTB), increasing capacity by 150%.

The new second floor of the PTB was inaugurated on November 23, allowing the airport to handle over 1,000 passengers simultaneously, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced.

Also launched were the two new boarding bridges to facilitate passenger movement between the terminal and aircraft. The expanded ramp now accommodates five wide-body and two single-aisle aircraft.

The enhanced PTB offers increased lounge space for departing passengers to Mindanao’s largest air hub.

Additionally, six new food and souvenir shops on the second floor aim to meet the needs of waiting passengers and promote local businesses.

“This airport (General Santos Airport) has leveled up. It can now accept more flights that translate to increased tourism traffic as well as trade and commerce for General Santos and its neighboring communities,” Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a speech during the launch.

Bautista highlighted the broader economic benefits of upgrading and modernizing airports, especially in Mindanao, saying doing so “especially here in Mindanao, not only leads to improved travel experience but also a surge in economic activity.”

The transport chief added the airport’s enhancement aims to not only generate jobs, but also to attract regional flights from other members of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asia Growth Area.

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