Saying that they could not tolerate seeing the discomfort of passengers in a cramped space, airport authorities have completed the P40-million rehabilitation of the Legazpi International Airport.
Passenger convenience was the main consideration in refurbishing the airport, which has an annual average of 400,000 arrivals and departures, according to Legazpi airport manager Cynthia Tumanut.
Its rehabilitation was carried out simultaneously with the construction of the Bicol International Airport in Daraga town.
Tumanut said: “The management could not just sit and watch the discomfort experienced by passengers due to the cramped space and insufficient vents in the old passenger terminal.”
Tumanot also supervises an area that includes airports in Masbate, Naga, Sorsogon, Virac, Bulan and Daet.
The Legazpi passenger terminal was converted into an eco-friendly zone by maximizing sunlight to brighten up the building, which has paneled glass walls. The design reduces the use of electricity for illumination.
The terminal, which houses both the departure and arrival areas, is much bigger and can accommodate over 500 passengers, with a view of Mayon Volcano.
Sufficient space was also allocated for the offices of the bureaus of immigration, customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The Legazpi airport handles Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific-Tiger Air flights from Manila and Cebu, as well as chartered flights from Shanghai and China.
Its single runway can handle medium-size commercial jets and military aircraft but its operation is only from sunrise to sunset, or depending on the availability of sunlight. Night landings and takeoffs are allowed with prior notice–Jeannette I. Andrade and Kristine Felisse Mangunay