Kalibo International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Kalibo, Aklanon: Pangkalibutan nga Paeuparan it Kalibo) (IATA: KLO, ICAO: RPVK) is an airport that serves the general area of Kalibo, the capital of Aklan Province in the Philippines. The airport is classified as an international airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, a body of the Department of Transportation and Communications responsible for the operations of all airports in the Philippines except major international airports. Previously, it had the distinction of being the only domestic airport in the Philippines that serves international flights (this distinction currently belongs to Tuguegarao Airport).
The airport is about ten minutes from the main plaza of Kalibo, and is one of two airports serving Boracay, the other being Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in the town of Malay.
On March 31, 2008, construction of the airport much-awaited new terminal building commenced. The said construction is part of the 130-million Peso fund promised by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007 for the upgrade of the airport which is being geared to become an international landmark for tourism. The package includes 80 million pesos for the new terminal, while 50 million was released in 2009 by the Department of Budget and Management for the installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS).
The Kalibo International Airport opened its travel- friendly services in the new passenger terminal building on Tuesday afternoon. The soft opening begun on June 15 with the transfer of operations of Cebu Pacific for incoming and outgoing flights to Manila. The Philippine Airlines and other local carriers will also start to transfer their domestic operations next week before the full opening.
"Philippine Airlines and Zest Air are expected to follow Cebu Pacific in the new terminal building to service regular flights. The airport will definitely offer a brand new travel experience with facilities are in place and ready to service the passengers," said Engr. Percy Malonesio of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) here.
Miraflores stressed the airport terminal underwent inspection and was given the go-ahead signal to open for commercial operations with domestic carrier Cebu Pacific. The old terminal building, he said, is to be renovated for domestic flights to ease congestion of the increasing number of passengers.
The Kalibo International Airport boasts of the busiest international flights in Western Visayas compared to other airports in the region. Regular and chartered flights from Incheon in South Korea, Shanghai in China, Hongkong, Taipei in Taiwan accommodated thousands of travelers during the holidays from Asian routes to the capital town of Kalibo.
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