The Bacolod City Domestic Airport, once a key aviation hub in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, played a significant role in connecting Bacolod, the capital of Negros Occidental, to other parts of the country. Known simply as Bacolod Airport during its operational years, it was among the busiest airports in the region and one of four primary trunkline airports, alongside Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo City, Roxas Airport in Capiz, and Puerto Princesa Airport in Palawan. However, its operations were eventually transferred to the modern Bacolod–Silay Airport, situated in the neighboring city of Silay.
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| aerial view |
Classified as a major domestic
airport by the Air Transportation Office (ATO), a division of the Department of
Transportation, the Bacolod City Domestic Airport handled a significant volume
of passenger traffic. By early 2007, Cebu Pacific had expanded its flight
offerings between Manila and Bacolod, contributing to the airport surpassing
Mandurriao Airport in terms of passenger arrivals. This growth underscored its
importance as a regional transportation hub.
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| on sunset |
The airport’s origins date back
to 1936 when it was constructed by the Lopez family to facilitate flights
operated by the Iloilo–Negros Air Express Company, linking Bacolod with Iloilo
and Manila. After World War II, the facility was acquired by Philippine
Airlines, which further developed its operations. However, after decades of
service, the airport ceased operations on January 17, 2008, making way for the
newly inaugurated Bacolod–Silay Airport, which officially opened the following
day.
Today, the former Bacolod City
Domestic Airport no longer accommodates air traffic. The main terminal has been
repurposed as a ticketing office for Philippine Airlines, while the Cebu
Pacific Terminal, located approximately 400 meters away, has been transformed
into an aviation school. This institution offers training programs for aircraft
mechanics and ground pilot instruction, continuing the site’s legacy in the
aviation industry.
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| credit to owner |
In 2016, Senator Franklin Drilon
proposed redeveloping the airport grounds into a business park, inspired by the
successful transformation of Mandurriao Airport into the Iloilo Business Park.
This suggestion aimed to revitalize the area and stimulate economic growth in
Bacolod City.
The airport’s history also
includes a tragic incident on March 22, 1998, when Philippine Airlines Flight
137, an Airbus A320-200 (RP-C3222), overshot the runway during landing. While
all passengers and crew survived, the accident claimed the lives of three
individuals on the ground as the aircraft veered into a nearby residential
area. This event remains a somber chapter in the airport’s legacy.
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| courtesy to MARCIALAGELO GT on FB |
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