CAAP okays 2-way Caticlan airport landing

MANILA, Philippines - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has lifted the one-way rule at the Godofredo P. Ramos airport (Caticlan), allowing Cebu Pacific flights to land and take off from either end of the runway and minimizing operational flight diversions to Kalibo.

CEB uses the ATR-72 turbo-prop, 72-seater aircraft to Caticlan. Seair utilizes the smaller Dornier two-seater plane with 20-passenger capacity, while Airphil Express, sister company of Philippine Airlines, flies the Bombardier aircraft.

“The resumption of the two-way rule should make flying to Boracay more convenient for our passengers. However flights may still be diverted to Kalibo if the runway is wet,” said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president.

CAAP Director General Alfonso Cusi said that a wet runway due to rain is considered an added hazard because of the danger of hydro-planing, or skidding by landing aircraft.

Prior to the approval, the one-way rule limited landing from the sea and toward the hill at Caticlan airport, which resulted in flights being diverted to Kalibo when the wind is in the same direction as the approaching aircraft, a condition called tailwind.

The two-way rule allows an approach from the other end of the runway. 

“We are delighted that as a result of our re-certification, Caap has authorized CEB to take-off and land in both directions for Caticlan,” Iyog said. She praised Cusi and his certification team as their decision makes it easier and more convenient for the flying public to fly to Boracay. 

“This decision will also help generate business and employment growth in the region,” Iyog said.

CEB operates 13 daily flights to Caticlan from Manila and 11 times weekly from Cebu using its ATR 72-500 aircraft.

Caticlan Airport records the highest number of landing and takeoff among secondary airports in the country, sometimes reaching a peak of 130 a day, or 65 landings and 65 takeoffs, according to Director Willy Borja, the chief of the Air Traffic Services Division of the Caap.