Commercial flight operations at General Santos International Airport resumed on Monday, June 15, following the completion of safety inspections and repair works after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Sarangani on June 8.
Earthquake Damage and Safety Inspections
The powerful earthquake damaged parts of the passenger terminal, control tower, and other airport facilities, leading authorities to temporarily halt commercial operations to ensure public safety. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) confirmed that all facilities are now safe for passenger travel.
Disruption and Repairs
The week-long suspension disrupted airline schedules across the region, though the airport remained open for government, military, humanitarian, and cargo operations. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed transportation authorities to fast-track repairs to minimize disruptions and restore normal operations as soon as possible.
DOTr Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez subsequently committed to reopening the airport within a week, provided all necessary safety requirements were met. “The President’s strict instruction to us was that this suspension of airport operations should not be prolonged, because we know it causes a major inconvenience to passengers. Now, the safety assessment is complete, and we can assure that passengers can travel safely from here in Gensan,” Lopez said.
Coordination and Passenger Advisory
CAAP coordinated with airline operators, airport stakeholders, and government agencies to ensure the safe and orderly resumption of airport operations. Passengers were advised to coordinate directly with their respective airlines for updated flight schedules and travel arrangements as regular operations resume.
The latest National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) situational report showed that the disaster has left 65 people dead, 36 missing, and more than 736,000 individuals affected across Mindanao.
