The Laguindingan International Airport, which serves over 300 flights per week, has been managed by Aboitiz InfraCapital since April 26. The infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group won the Php 12.75-billion concession agreement from the government for its 30-year upgrading and management of the airport. In this opinion piece, frequent flyer Ray Talimio Jr talks about almost getting stranded in his recent red-eye flight.
Photo by Froilan Gallardo/Rappler.
Airport modernization must include 24-hour transport options and basic passenger support for travelers arriving on its last flights.
Taking the last flight from Manila to Northern Mindanao, particularly to Cagayan de Oro via Laguindingan Airport, has long been a favored schedule for professionals, business travelers, and balikbayans. It allows one to complete a full workday in the capital and still make it home the same night. Over the years, this has proven to be a practical and efficient travel arrangement.
Since ride-hailing services like Grab became more accessible at Laguindingan Airport in 2023, we stopped asking our driver or children to pick us up. We recognized the inconvenience this causes, especially late at night or during inclement weather. Grab offered a convenient and contactless alternative that suited the needs of tired passengers arriving from long flights.
But recently, for the first time since we began frequently traveling in 2013, we arrived on the last flight and found no Grab car available, no taxi in sight, and only one remaining option: the final trip of Magnum Express. Had we missed it, we would have been left with no other viable means to get home. This experience is both unacceptable and avoidable.
The situation unfolds amid major changes in the airport’s operations. Laguindingan Airport, which serves as the primary gateway to Cagayan de Oro and Region 10, is now managed by Aboitiz InfraCapital in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines under a Public-Private Partnership model. These reforms are designed to modernize airport infrastructure and improve efficiency.
Since the transition, noticeable changes include restructured traffic flow, increased parking fees intended to discourage long-term stays, stricter access to terminal gates, and the reorganization of pick-up and drop-off zones. These adjustments are aimed at reducing congestion and streamlining operations.
However, these improvements must not come at the expense of passenger experience. The lack of late-night transport options exposes a serious gap in service. Last flight passengers, often tired, carrying heavy luggage, or accompanied by children or elderly companions, deserve better.
It is not enough to improve daytime efficiency while neglecting nighttime accessibility. Ride-hailing options like Grab should be coordinated with airport management to ensure availability beyond peak hours. A dedicated pick-up lane, real-time availability system, or holding area for drivers would help maintain reliable service.
Likewise, the absence of porters remains a problem. Travelers with large bags or limited mobility are left without assistance at a time when no one else is available to help. A truly modern airport must be inclusive and accessible at all times, not just when it is convenient for management.
Laguindingan Airport is more than just a terminal. It is a regional lifeline that connects Northern Mindanao to the rest of the country and the world. Aboitiz InfraCapital and CAAP must recognize this responsibility. Last flight passengers cannot be an afterthought in the modernization plan.
We urge airport authorities to address these shortcomings immediately. They must ensure that basic services, including transport access and luggage assistance, are consistently available regardless of the time of arrival. This is what it means to provide not only modern infrastructure but also a complete and humane travel experience.
Ray G. Talimio Jr. is the corporate secretary and division head of the CdeO-based IT company Syntactics. As a private sector representative, he co-chairs the economic development committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC-X). He also serves as Northern Mindanao chair for the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. BIMP-EAGA is an intergovernmental economic cooperation program in Southeast Asia.
Talimio was also the former president and trustee of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber) and former national officer of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). He first posted this opinion piece on Facebook, May 25.
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