Among the country’s busiest airports
TACLOBAN CITY – Passenger traffic at Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport in Tacloban grew by 7% in 2024, driven largely by the introduction of new flight routes, an official said.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the number of inbound and outbound passengers increased from 1,573,301 in 2023 to 1,689,748 in 2024.
“The opening of new routes to Tacloban from Davao and Iloilo in the latter part of the year contributed to this growth. Passenger traffic has shown a consistent annual increase since 2018,” said CAAP Eastern Visayas Area Manager Danilo Abarreta in a phone interview on Tuesday.
On October 29, 2024, Cebu Pacific launched two new routes: Iloilo-Tacloban-Iloilo, operating four times weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays), and Davao-Tacloban-Davao, operating thrice weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays).
Currently, Tacloban Airport handles 16 to 20 flights per day, including 12 daily flights to and from Metro Manila and four daily flights to and from Cebu.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes attributed the rise in passenger traffic to improved connectivity.
“This increase highlights the vital role of accessibility in tourism growth,” Tiopes said. “With this development, we hope airline service providers will consider resuming the Tacloban-Clark route and opening flights to other growth centers in the country. Improved connectivity will encourage more travelers to visit Eastern Visayas.”
Tacloban-Clark flights were halted in 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) described the rising passenger and aircraft movement at DZR Airport as a strong indicator of growing demand for air travel in the region.
“This trend underscores the urgency of fast-tracking the airport’s ongoing upgrade. By 2028, Tacloban Airport aims to meet international aviation standards, not only in services but also in equipment and facilities,” the NEDA regional office said in a statement.
The Tacloban Airport Development Project is currently in full swing, with significant progress in key infrastructure components.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways:
The Passenger Terminal Building Phase 3, with a contract cost of P964.28 million, is 45.21% complete and is expected to be finished by February 2026.
The construction of additional airport facilities, costing P494.89 million, is 47.70% complete, with a target completion date of October 2025.
The first two phases of the passenger terminal building, with a combined budget of P1.8 billion, are still ongoing.
Officially named Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, the facility was named after the late House Speaker and uncle of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos. Classified as a Class 1 major domestic airport, it serves as the main gateway from Manila and Cebu to Eastern Visayas.
In 2023, it ranked as the 11th busiest airport in the Philippines, handling 1.5 million inbound and outbound passengers.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)
