Whereas Ang had already confirmed they might nonetheless pursue different vital infrastructure to enhance the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, he admitted that growing a resort might not be up the diversified firm’s alley.
“It isn’t our experience to develop a resort, so I believe we’ll discover a associate to develop the land there,” Ang stated throughout the Financial Journalists Affiliation of the Philippines-SMC Aviation Discussion board held earlier this week.
READ: New Caticlan airport terminal prepared by ’26; Bridge to Boracay coming quickly
SMC has but to determine on a selected associate. Seven years in the past, the corporate stated it might construct a 130-hectare leisure complicated that would come with a 400-room resort, doubtlessly below the Marriott model, close to Caticlan airport.
A conference heart, ocean park, leisure services and different leisure facilities had been additionally beforehand deliberate to assist additional development within the sprawling seashore neighborhood that welcomes tens of millions of native and overseas vacationers yearly.
However for now, Ang stated SMC needed to deal with enhancing the Caticlan airport.
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SMC affiliate Trans Aire Growth Holdings Corp. presently holds the fitting to rehabilitate the airport below a 25-year concession settlement.
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The contract was initially awarded to Caticlan Worldwide Airport Growth Corp. (CIADC) in 2009, however SMC purchased a majority stake in CIADC a yr later.
In 2011, SMC stated it might spend $300 million to modernize the airport.
SMC, which additionally gained the mammoth P170.6-billion contract to rehabilitate Ninoy Aquino Worldwide Airport in Pasay Metropolis, has up to now refurbished the Caticlan airport’s runway to accommodate larger jets.
Ang stated they might formally open “in lower than three years” a brand new terminal with a capability of seven million passengers yearly because the inflow of Boracay-bound vacationers continued.
He added that they would choose a contractor for the airport extension this yr.
Other than the brand new terminal, a 1.9-kilometer toll bridge connecting Caticlan to the principle Boracay Island may be within the works quickly, in line with Ang.
As soon as the bridge is constructed, guests might not want a 15-minute boat trip to achieve Boracay.
The infrastructure is likewise anticipated to assist eliminate rubbish on the island that was beforehand shut down because of trash buildup and segregation points.