Bicol International Airport

Bicol International Airport (Filipino: "Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Bikol", Bikol: "Pankinàban na Palayogan kan Bikol") is an under-construction international airport that will serve Legazpi, the capital city of Albay and the regional center of Bicol Region, in the Philippines. The airport will still have the IATA and ICAO code of the old Legazpi Airport, despite being located in nearby Daraga.
The airport is located in Daraga, an adjacent city of Legazpi. The ₱3.5 billion project is on a 200-hectare plateau 15 kilometers from Mayon Volcano. Some sources name the airport Southern Luzon International Airport (Filipino: "Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Katimogang Luzon"). It will replace the old Legazpi Airport, which is only 2 to 3 kilometers from the volcano.
Once opened, it will handle an estimated 2.2 million passengers every year.
Background.
Bicol International Airport was in planning since early 2006, when officials discussed the feasibility of an international airport in Legazpi. During March 4 and 5, 2006, officials in Daraga, where the airport would be constructed, discussed with the barangay captains and Leaders of barangays Alobo, Inarado, Kinawitan, Burgos, Martos territory, Velasco Hacienda, and Mabini over the conversion of agricultural lands into industrial lands for the airport. It is estimated to occupy at least 2 square kilometres of land, and many families could be displaced from the construction.
It will be the first international airport to be built in Bicolandia and, according to Daraga Mayor Gerry Rodrigueza Jaucian, would be a testament to economic growth in the region and of the dreams of Bicolanos, as shown in the following excerpt from the "Manila Times": "We’re grateful to the President for fulfilling the Bicolanos’ dream to have an international airport. This is the realization of our quest to become one of the booming regions in the country."
Construction.
In July 2007, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC; now simply Department of Transportation), to fast-track the paperwork on the planned new airport. President Macapagal-Arroyo released ₱85 million for its advance engineering study. Tourism secretary Ace Durano has assured the allotment of ₱250 million for the purchase of land. As of November 2007, pre-construction activities such as the feasibility study and site development plan have been completed. The construction contract has been bid for.
The airport was originally scheduled for completion in 2014. However, due to a construction delay, the project was expected to be finished at an unspecified date before 2016. In June 2015, it was reported that the construction is 47% done and would be finished in July 2017, but in July 2016 it was reported that the construction would be delayed further and would be finished in August 2018.
In September 2012, the Department of Budget and Management released ₱4.6 billion to support the public-private partnership (PPP) projects of the DoTC. Of the total, the airport will receive ₱2 billion to develop and fund the engineering of runways and taxiways.
On the night of September 28, 2017, people suspected to be members of the New People's Army committed arson to 11 heavy equipments that were used for the airport's construction.
After a delay in construction for more than a decade, Bicol International Airport was confirmed to be 50% complete in August 2018. The runway, taxi apron, and perimeter fence has been completed. Once the whole airport has been completed, it will handle about 2 million passengers. The airport will be completed on June 21, 2020 and will shortly start operations after. However, this completion target was not met.
In January 2020, the Department of Transportation confirmed that the airport is 62% complete and the construction to be complete in July 2020. The Terminal will open partially for the time being. They also started to hire 500 personnel. However, the July 2020 completion was also not met and construction works were delayed in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of May 2021, the airport is 82.22% complete. The airport is expected to be opened in December 2021.
The airport was also confirmed to have International Chartered flights from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to Major cities in Eastern Asia. Specifically Xiamen, Shanghai, and Taipei.