Cotabato Airport (IATA: CBO, ICAO: RPMC), also known as Awang Airport, is an airport serving the general area of Cotabato City, North Cotabato, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur. Located in the province of Maguindanao del Norte in the Philippines. It is classified as a Class 1 principal (major domestic) airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Cotabato Airport Sambel-Dungguan su Kutawatu Paliparan ng Cotabato سمبيل دڠغوأن سو کوتاوات مطار كوتاوات Sambel-Dungguan su Kutawatu Maṭār Kutawatu | |||||||||||
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 Cotabato Airport | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Owner/Operator | Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (airside and landside) Bangsamoro Airport Authority (landside[1]) | ||||||||||
| Serves | Bangsamoro mainland | ||||||||||
| Location | Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines | ||||||||||
| Operating base for | Bangsamoro Airways | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 56 m / 183 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 07°09′55″N 124°12′35″E / 7.16528°N 124.20972°E | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  CBO/RPMC .svg) CBO/RPMC | |||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (2022) | |||||||||||
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The airport was the 21st busiest airport in the Philippines in 2021.[2] The airport is generally used by the people of Cotabato City.
The airport was temporarily closed from June 22, 2023 until October 1, 2023 for runway repairs.[3][4]
Airlines and destinations
edit
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Bangsamoro Airways | Jolo, Zamboanga[4] |
| PAL Express | Cebu, Manila, Tawi-Tawi[4] |
Statistics
editData from Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).[2]
Passenger movements
edit| Year | Domestic Passengers | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 46,409 | 
|
| 2004 | 63,902 |  27.37%
|
| 2005 | 86,920 | 26.48%
|
| 2006 | 125,539 | 30.76%
|
| 2007 | 127,198 | 1.3%
|
| 2008 | 104,535 |  17.82%
|
| 2009 | 199,133 | 47.5%
|
| 2010 | 219,104 | 9.11%
|
| 2011 | 122,525 | 44.07%
|
| 2012 | 246,409 | 50.27%
|
| 2013 | 239,625 | 2.75%
|
| 2014 | 232,742 | 2.87%
|
| 2015 | 241,642 | 3.68%
|
| 2016 | 258,529 | 6.5%
|
| 2017 | 289,229 | 10.61%
|
| 2018 | 299,861 | 3.54%
|
| 2019 | 309,556 | 3.23%
|
| 2020 | 83,957 (COVID-19 pandemic) | 368.70%
|
| 2021 | 161,247 | 92.05%
|
| 2022 | 295,801 | 83.44%
|
Future plans
editPotential Destinations
editAccording to the recent interview with Atty. Sinarimbo in Midsayap Radio Program, they are already preparing to open flights and shipping route from Cotabato City to (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi) BASULTA. This will fasten the government services that will directly link connectivity of Bangsamoro to island Provinces. At present time cargo or passengers movement are via Zamboanga or Manila Airport and Seaport respectively. Soon this will utilize the Polloc International Seaport and Cotabato Airport capabilities.[5] [citation needed]
Night flights and Infrastructure Upgrades
editAccording to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), airports in the city of Cotabato is now undergoing rehabilitation and expansion.
The repairs include the widening of the breath of the runway and the upgrade of terminal facilities for night-flight capabilities and a better and safer experience for passengers to enjoy[6] On 18 June 2021, runway strip grade correction work began, conducted by DOTr, Department of National Defense (DND) and the 549th Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army. Construction work is expected to finish within 450 days.[7]
International airport
editAn International Airport is proposed to be built to Barangay Tamontaka, Cotabato City, while the existing domestic airport will serve as a Military Air Base. As of now, construction is anticipated in June 2019.[needs update][8][9][10]
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ Jannaral, Julmunir (December 26, 2022). "BARMM to run six airports in 2023". The Manila Times. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Aircraft, Passenger, and Cargo Movements". Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ Rebollido, Rommel (June 27, 2023). "Sudden closure of Cotabato airport angers BARMM officials, traders". Rappler. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c Sumangil, Franz R. (August 23, 2023). "Cotabato Airport on limited operation". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ "Cotabato City to BASULTA flights". Philippine Muslims Today.
- ^ "Regional airports soon to accommodate night time flights". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
- ^ "HERMOSO GRACES GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY". Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ "New airport, seaport to rise in Cotabato City". www.mindanao.politics.com.ph. February 7, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Chinese firm eyes modern airport, seaport in Cotabato". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Construction of P176-B Cotabato airport, seaport to start in June". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
External links
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