Following a 6.6% Gross Domestic Product growth in 2023—outpacing the national average of 5.5%—Bohol continues to show strong economic momentum across all sectors, particularly in tourism-related services such as transportation, accommodation, and food services, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported in December 2024.
Given these strong achievements, the upcoming enhancements to BPIA, currently the country’s ninth-busiest gateway, are expected to be timely and strategic.
Under a 30-year concession agreement, AIC, the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, will formally take over operations of BPIA in June 2025. Upon turnover, BPIA will join the award-winning Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu and Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental as members of AIC’s growing aviation portfolio.
“The modernization of BPIA is not just about upgrading infrastructure—it’s about enabling the continued rise of Bohol as a vibrant tourism and economic hub in the Visayas. We are proud to support the province’s aspirations through transformative infrastructure ecosystems such as BPIA,” said AIC President and CEO Cosette V. Canilao.
AIC is set to implement a ₱4.53-billion investment plan that includes the expansion of BPIA’s passenger terminal building, installation of modern aviation systems, and enhancements to airside and landside facilities.
Within 1–2 years of takeover, AIC aims to boost BPIA’s current capacity from 2 million to 2.5 million passengers annually, with future expansions pushing capacity to 3.9 million passengers per year by 2030.
The modernization of BPIA will complement Bohol’s economic priorities previously identified by the Bohol Provincial Planning and Development Office, which include sustainable tourism, climate-smart agriculture, and micro-enterprise growth.
According to the same PSA report, Bohol’s transportation and storage sector grew by 20.4% in 2023, while accommodation and food services surged by 27.9%, underscoring the province’s readiness for increased tourist arrivals and business activity.
“This project reinforces our goal of elevating airport experiences while contributing to local economies. We look forward to bringing our proven track record at MCIA to Bohol and working with stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the province’s ‘Green Gateway to the World’ and deliver unique Boholano hospitality in our service,” said AIC Vice President and Head of Airports Business Rafael M. Aboitiz.
Moving forward, BPIA’s transformation is expected to serve as a critical enabler of growth for Bohol and Central Visayas.
Overall, BPIA, MCIA, and LIA are part of AIC’s broader strategy to develop and manage infrastructure assets that deliver topnotch Filipino hospitality, better and smoother travel, and seamless connectivity across the Philippines.
As a unit of the Aboitiz Group techglomerate, AIC is leveraging its expertise in infrastructure and technology to drive sustainable growth in the country’s aviation sector.
