Dipolog Airport
Encyclopedia
Dipolog Airport is the main airport serving the general area of Dipolog City
, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte
, in the Philippines
. The airport is one of the busiest in Mindanao, especially considering its classification. The airport is classified as a secondary airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), a body of the Department of Transportation and Communications
(DOTC) that is responsible for the operations of not only this airport but also of all other airports in the Philippines except the major international airports.
In 2005, the airport handled 75,751 passengers. Its passenger traffic has grown at least 52% from year 2000 statistical figures with an average annual growth rate of around 10.4%.
During the incumbency of Matias C. Ranillo, Sr. as Governor of Zamboanga peninsula in 1937-1941, President Quezon together with his daughters Zenaida and Aurora "Baby", were invited to inaugurate the opening of the first bridge linking Dipolog to nearby Dapitan City
in 1939. The bridge stands to this day as the Quezon Bridge. The 600-meter macadam
airstrip was opened in October 1941, a few months prior to the outbreak of WWII, by then-Vice President
Sergio Osmeña
and Chief of Staff Basilio Valdez. They inaugurated the airport on a flight onboard a Douglas DC-2
of the Philippine Army Air Corps
(PAAC). They were welcomed by Governor Matias C. Ranillo, Sr. but the entourage promptly proceeded to Dipolog Cathedral for a thanksgiving mass since the plane almost crashed at landing. Fa. Nicasio Patangan was the officiating priest. http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/zamboangadelnorte/index.php?id1=2&id2=1.
The original terminal was made of composite wood material located at the northern side of the runway near the Philippine Constabulary Camp, now Camp Hamac in Sicayab. During WWII, the field was overrun by rank grass and in October 1944, Governor Ranillo led the Dipolognons clear the runway at the request of the Filipino guerrilla forces. By 8 March, four division of 16 Vought F4U Corsair US Marine fighter bombers and the 13th US Airforce established base as part of the Victor IV liberation plan. They covered the landing of the 41st Infantry Division in Zamboanga
on D-day scheduled on the 10th of March. It was completely restored in 1947 with the construction of a longer runway and bigger terminal that was relocated to the eastern side of runway 20. A new access road was also constructed complementing its facility.
Commercial operation by Philippine Airlines
commenced in 1952 utilizing a Douglas DC-3
aircraft for routes to and from Cebu City
and Zamboanga City
. Concreting and expansion of its runway was made in 1974 where a new taxiway and apron was built. A new terminal building was also constructed in 1980 relocating the old terminal to its new location where it stands to this day. A bigger parking area and new access road was opened together with the new terminal. A Control Tower was added in 1991, and new runway lights were installed in 2004.
The airport's strategic location during World War II
and the liberation of Zamboanga
and Mindanao
by American and Philippine Commonwealth Forces in 1945 prompted the national government to develop the field as an alternate airport to Zamboanga International Airport
principally for national security reasons arising from natural and man made emergencies. These was made apparent during the tumultuous period of the Muslim Rebellion in the early 70's. Its infrastructure at that time were testament to its strategic importance.
launched flights to Manila
using a Beechcraft 1900-C
aircraft in 1987.
The airport's commercial viability for growth was established as more flights were mounted by Philippine Airlines
prompting the national government to introduce further development. The City Government of Dipolog City incorporated its growth potential in their development strategy plan http://www.dipologcity.gov.ph/city_development_strategy.html.
In 1992, after extending its runway by 500 meters and constructing a control tower, the airport officially welcomed its first mid-sized passenger jet, a Philippine Airlines Boeing 737-300
. On the same year, daily flights to Dumaguete City
were introduced by PAL using Short 360 aircraft but was dropped one year later.
In 2002, at least 25% of the passenger traffic bound for Dipolog Airport are composed of foreign tourists http://www.nscb.gov.ph/stats/ptsa/statistics/stat_travellers.asp.
In July 2006, Cebu Pacific
launched non-stop service to Manila utilizing an Airbus 319-200
with a seating capacity
of 150 passengers.
In December 2006, it registered a maximum traffic of 330 daily passengers on several occasions based on the aircraft's available capacity serving the route with Philippine Airlines utilizing the much bigger Boeing 737-400
with a seating capacity
of 180 passengers.
The airport is expected to handle more than 150,000 passengers per year by 2009 or an average of 415 daily passengers, which is equivalent to 3 narrow-body aircraft
flights or two flights using one wide-body
and one narrow-body aircraft
.
The airport has one terminal and a 150-meter by 100-meter apron
. The apron is capable of supporting two Airbus A320s and three large general aviation planes simultaneously. There are also plans to expand the apron to accommodate bigger aircraft.
The terminal building, which originally had a capacity of 170 passengers, now has a seating capacity
of 300 passengers due to new flights offered by Cebu Pacific. The terminal houses a metal detector
and an X-ray machine
for fast security check-in of passengers and their baggage.
, a Category V fire station
with 4 firetrucks and a new parking area complex near the Miss Universe Garden.
The new parking area would have a capacity of 100 vehicles when completed by the end of the year. The old parking area, which had a capacity of ninety vehicles, was partially converted into an airport security buffer zone
, to address probable terrorist threats. Forty slots of the old parking area was made part of the new parking area. The city government is expanding again the parking area to accommodate the additional passenger traffic towards the vicinity of the Miss Universe Garden.
There is also a mini-garden at the runway side of the terminal that contains a grotto
.
(ADB), the European Investment Bank
(EIB), and the Philippine government with its counterpart fund http://www.travelsmart.net/article/104933/. However, the Philippine government failed to provide on the counterpart fund for the $93 million project. The ADB loan was cancelled effective May 31, 2003 http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news04_nov26_2003.
The scope of works included:
As of April 2007, only items number one, two, five, six, and seven were not yet implemented due to huge budgetary requirements.
Dipolog City
The City of Dipolog is a 1st class city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao...
, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
, in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The airport is one of the busiest in Mindanao, especially considering its classification. The airport is classified as a secondary airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), a body of the Department of Transportation and Communications
Department of Transportation and Communications (Philippines)
The Department of Transportation and Communications is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the maintenance and expansion of viable, efficient, and dependable transportation and communications systems as effective instruments for national recovery and economic...
(DOTC) that is responsible for the operations of not only this airport but also of all other airports in the Philippines except the major international airports.
In 2005, the airport handled 75,751 passengers. Its passenger traffic has grown at least 52% from year 2000 statistical figures with an average annual growth rate of around 10.4%.
History
Dapitan City
The City of Dapitan is a 4th class city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 68,178 people in 13,560 households...
in 1939. The bridge stands to this day as the Quezon Bridge. The 600-meter macadam
Macadam
Macadam is a type of road construction pioneered by the Scotsman John Loudon McAdam in around 1820. The method simplified what had been considered state-of-the-art at that point...
airstrip was opened in October 1941, a few months prior to the outbreak of WWII, by then-Vice President
Vice President of the Philippines
-Description:The Vice-President is the first in the Philippine line of succession, assuming the Presidency upon the death, resignation, or removal by impeachment and subsequent conviction of the incumbent. The position was abolished by Martial Law in 1972, and was not included in the original text...
Sergio Osmeña
Sergio Osmeña
Sergio Osmeña y Suico was a Filipino politician who served as the 4th President of the Philippines from 1944 to 1946. He was Vice President under Manuel L. Quezon, and rose to the presidency upon Quezon's death in 1944, being the oldest Philippine president to hold office at age 65...
and Chief of Staff Basilio Valdez. They inaugurated the airport on a flight onboard a Douglas DC-2
Douglas DC-2
The Douglas DC-2 was a 14-seat, twin-engine airliner produced by the American company Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. It competed with the Boeing 247...
of the Philippine Army Air Corps
Philippine Army Air Corps
The Philippine Army Air Corps was created by the Philippine National Assembly's National Defense Act of 1935. By 1940, the corps had around 40 aircraft and 100 pilots, 500 personnel, and six squadrons...
(PAAC). They were welcomed by Governor Matias C. Ranillo, Sr. but the entourage promptly proceeded to Dipolog Cathedral for a thanksgiving mass since the plane almost crashed at landing. Fa. Nicasio Patangan was the officiating priest. http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/zamboangadelnorte/index.php?id1=2&id2=1.
Airport Development
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
on D-day scheduled on the 10th of March. It was completely restored in 1947 with the construction of a longer runway and bigger terminal that was relocated to the eastern side of runway 20. A new access road was also constructed complementing its facility.
Commercial operation by Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines, Inc. operating as Philippine Airlines, is a flag carrier of the Philippines. Headquartered in the Philippine National Bank Financial Center in Pasay City, the airline was founded in 1941 and is the first and oldest commercial airline in Asia operating under its original name...
commenced in 1952 utilizing a Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
aircraft for routes to and from Cebu City
Cebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
and Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
. Concreting and expansion of its runway was made in 1974 where a new taxiway and apron was built. A new terminal building was also constructed in 1980 relocating the old terminal to its new location where it stands to this day. A bigger parking area and new access road was opened together with the new terminal. A Control Tower was added in 1991, and new runway lights were installed in 2004.
The airport's strategic location during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the liberation of Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
and Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
by American and Philippine Commonwealth Forces in 1945 prompted the national government to develop the field as an alternate airport to Zamboanga International Airport
Zamboanga International Airport
Zamboanga International Airport is the main airport serving Zamboanga City in the Philippines. The airport is Mindanao's third-busiest airport after Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City and Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City...
principally for national security reasons arising from natural and man made emergencies. These was made apparent during the tumultuous period of the Muslim Rebellion in the early 70's. Its infrastructure at that time were testament to its strategic importance.
Commercial Traffic
The late 80's saw a dramatic upsurge in foreign tourist arrival. Aerolift PhilippinesAerolift Philippines
Aerolift or Aerolift Philippines Corporation is a defunct inter-island airline based in the Philippines. It was established in 1982 and was chosen by the government in 1989 as the second flag carrier of the Philippines next to Philippine Airlines. Its aircraft accident caused it to ceased operation...
launched flights to Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
using a Beechcraft 1900-C
Beechcraft 1900
The Beechcraft 1900 is a 19-passenger, pressurized twin-engine turboprop airplane manufactured by the Beechcraft Division of the Raytheon Company . It was designed, and is primarily used, as a regional airliner...
aircraft in 1987.
The airport's commercial viability for growth was established as more flights were mounted by Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines, Inc. operating as Philippine Airlines, is a flag carrier of the Philippines. Headquartered in the Philippine National Bank Financial Center in Pasay City, the airline was founded in 1941 and is the first and oldest commercial airline in Asia operating under its original name...
prompting the national government to introduce further development. The City Government of Dipolog City incorporated its growth potential in their development strategy plan http://www.dipologcity.gov.ph/city_development_strategy.html.
In 1992, after extending its runway by 500 meters and constructing a control tower, the airport officially welcomed its first mid-sized passenger jet, a Philippine Airlines Boeing 737-300
Boeing 737 Classic
The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
. On the same year, daily flights to Dumaguete City
Dumaguete City
The City of Dumaguete is a city in the Philippine province of Negros Oriental. It is the capital, principal seaport, and largest city of the province. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 133,470 people. A person from Dumaguete is called a "Dumagueteño"...
were introduced by PAL using Short 360 aircraft but was dropped one year later.
In 2002, at least 25% of the passenger traffic bound for Dipolog Airport are composed of foreign tourists http://www.nscb.gov.ph/stats/ptsa/statistics/stat_travellers.asp.
In July 2006, Cebu Pacific
Cebu Pacific
Cebu Air, Inc., operating as Cebu Pacific Air, is based on the grounds of Ninoy Aquino International Airport , Pasay City, Metro Manila, the Philippines. It offers scheduled flights to both domestic and international destinations...
launched non-stop service to Manila utilizing an Airbus 319-200
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
with a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 150 passengers.
In December 2006, it registered a maximum traffic of 330 daily passengers on several occasions based on the aircraft's available capacity serving the route with Philippine Airlines utilizing the much bigger Boeing 737-400
Boeing 737 Classic
The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
with a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 180 passengers.
The airport is expected to handle more than 150,000 passengers per year by 2009 or an average of 415 daily passengers, which is equivalent to 3 narrow-body aircraft
Narrow-body aircraft
A narrow-body aircraft is an airliner with a fuselage aircraft cabin width typically of 3 to 4 metres , and airline seat arranged 2 to 6 abreast along a single aisle...
flights or two flights using one wide-body
Wide-body aircraft
A wide-body aircraft is a large airliner with two passenger aisles, also known as a widebody aircraft or twin-aisle aircraft. The typical fuselage diameter is . In the typical wide-body economy cabin, passengers are seated seven to ten abreast, allowing a total capacity of 200 to 850 passengers...
and one narrow-body aircraft
Narrow-body aircraft
A narrow-body aircraft is an airliner with a fuselage aircraft cabin width typically of 3 to 4 metres , and airline seat arranged 2 to 6 abreast along a single aisle...
.
Airlines and destinations
Terminals
Airport ramp
The airport ramp or apron is part of an airport. It is usually the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled or boarded. Although the use of the apron is covered by regulations, such as lighting on vehicles, it is typically more accessible to users than the runway or taxiway...
. The apron is capable of supporting two Airbus A320s and three large general aviation planes simultaneously. There are also plans to expand the apron to accommodate bigger aircraft.
The terminal building, which originally had a capacity of 170 passengers, now has a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 300 passengers due to new flights offered by Cebu Pacific. The terminal houses a metal detector
Metal detector
A metal detector is a device which responds to metal that may not be readily apparent.The simplest form of a metal detector consists of an oscillator producing an alternating current that passes through a coil producing an alternating magnetic field...
and an X-ray machine
X-ray machine
An X-ray generator is a device used to generate X-rays. These devices are commonly used by radiographers to acquire an x-ray image of the inside of an object but they are also used in sterilization or fluorescence....
for fast security check-in of passengers and their baggage.
Other structures
The airport also has a modern control towerControl tower
A control tower, or more specifically an Air Traffic Control Tower , is the name of the airport building from which the air traffic control unit controls the movement of aircraft on and around the airport. Control towers are also used to control the traffic for other forms of transportation such...
, a Category V fire station
Fire station
A fire station is a structure or other area set aside for storage of firefighting apparatus , personal protective equipment, fire hose, fire extinguishers, and other fire extinguishing equipment...
with 4 firetrucks and a new parking area complex near the Miss Universe Garden.
The new parking area would have a capacity of 100 vehicles when completed by the end of the year. The old parking area, which had a capacity of ninety vehicles, was partially converted into an airport security buffer zone
Buffer zone
A buffer zone is generally a zonal area that lies between two or more other areas , but depending on the type of buffer zone, the reason for it may be to segregate regions or to conjoin them....
, to address probable terrorist threats. Forty slots of the old parking area was made part of the new parking area. The city government is expanding again the parking area to accommodate the additional passenger traffic towards the vicinity of the Miss Universe Garden.
There is also a mini-garden at the runway side of the terminal that contains a grotto
Grotto
A grotto is any type of natural or artificial cave that is associated with modern, historic or prehistoric use by humans. When it is not an artificial garden feature, a grotto is often a small cave near water and often flooded or liable to flood at high tide...
.
Third Airport Development Project
The Dipolog Airport upgrading project was part of The 1997 Third Airport Development Project, a six-airport package which was supposed to be funded by the Asian Development BankAsian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 22 August 1966 to facilitate economic development of countries in Asia...
(ADB), the European Investment Bank
European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank is the European Union's long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. A policy-driven bank, the EIB supports the EU’s priority objectives, especially European integration and the development of economically weak regions...
(EIB), and the Philippine government with its counterpart fund http://www.travelsmart.net/article/104933/. However, the Philippine government failed to provide on the counterpart fund for the $93 million project. The ADB loan was cancelled effective May 31, 2003 http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news04_nov26_2003.
Scope of Work
Designs for rehabilitation and upgrading were undertaken by COWI-NACO JV, with three local sub-consultants: TransAsia, Basic Team and COWI Philippines. http://www.cowi.com/cowi/en/menu/projects/transport/airports/thirdairportsdevelopmentproject.htmThe scope of works included:
- Runway rehabilitation, extension and widening, and improvements of taxiways and aprons
- Grading of safety areas adjacent to the runway
- Construction of proper fencing between airside and landside areas
- Installation of x-ray equipment
- Upgrading of terminal and construction of new cargo building and other support facilities to increase service levels to handle forecast traffic for year 2010
- Installation of runway, approach lights and navigational aids in order to meet the international ICAO safety and security standards
- Expansion of utility facilities such as water supply and sewage treatment and
- Improvements of landside parking facilities.
As of April 2007, only items number one, two, five, six, and seven were not yet implemented due to huge budgetary requirements.
Southern Philippines Airport Development Project
DOTC repackaged the project in 2005 into the Southern Philippines Airport Development Project for funding. By 2006, ADB reconsidered Dipolog Airport as one of only three of the six airport projects to be considered for funding based on the request of airline companies operating on the approved airports http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/mar/02/yehey/business/20060302bus2.html, commercial viability, and passenger traffic http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:2sMGLn_b6RgJ:www.adb.org/Documents/PCRs/PHI/27142-PHI-PCR.pdf+third+airport+development+project+site:www.adb.org&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&ie=UTF-8.ADB Proposed Project Package
- Total Project cost estimate: 731 Million Pesos http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/10/09/PROV2006100976596.html http://www.ulap.gov.ph/cyberregions/mindanao.pdf.
- Government Counterpart: PHP 115 million
- Repair and Completion of shoreline protection structure (seawall) and land reclamation http://dipolognews.prepys.com/2007/01/16/new-year-ushers-prosperity-for-mindanao/ http://www.atrsworld.org/samplebenchmarkingreport_files/AirportInvestors-AIM21_21JUL06.pdf http://www.zanorte.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=33.
- Currency rate conversion: 57 PHP per 1 USD
- Date of Completion: 2009
Components
- Runway extension, widening and asphalt overlay of the entire length
- 2,500 X 45 meters
- expansion of the taxiway, apron and terminal building
- apron capacity
- 1 wide-bodyWide-body aircraftA wide-body aircraft is a large airliner with two passenger aisles, also known as a widebody aircraft or twin-aisle aircraft. The typical fuselage diameter is . In the typical wide-body economy cabin, passengers are seated seven to ten abreast, allowing a total capacity of 200 to 850 passengers...
Stand - 2 narrow-body aircraftNarrow-body aircraftA narrow-body aircraft is an airliner with a fuselage aircraft cabin width typically of 3 to 4 metres , and airline seat arranged 2 to 6 abreast along a single aisle...
Stand - 2 General Aviation Stand.
- 1 wide-body
- apron capacity
- construction of cargo building
- installation of approach lights ILS and radar equipment
External links
- Zamboanga del Norte: Province Brief History
- Profile of Dipolog Airport by the Dipolog city government.
- Airport Investors Report, July 2006
- Zamboanga airport closed as aircraft blocks runway, by Bong Garcia, MINDANAO NEWS
- Govt readies new superbody to replace airport agencies, By Darwin G. Amojelar, MANILATIMES
- Philippine Government sets aside P6 B for mega region development, by Mike U. Crismundo,MANILA BULLETIN
- Super Region, Mindanao Committed Infrastructure Projects, by Jesus G. Dureza
- 2007 State of the Province Address by Governor Rolando G. Yebes.
- PAL Domestic Schedule 2007
- CEB Domestic Schedule 2007
- http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news04_nov26_2003
- Third Airports Development Project