Maasin Airport (VB Lacerna image) THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will inaugurate on July 2 a new passenger terminal building at the Maasin Airport in Southern Leyte, effectively upgrading the airport to “Principal Class 2” status from being just a community airport.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday that Principal Class 2 airports are used for domestic flights, serving propeller aircraft or jet aircraft, with passenger capacities of below 100 but more than 19.

Maasin Airport, the only community airport serving Southern Leyte, also served as an alternative to the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban for the delivery of relief goods and medicines during the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda a few years ago.

The airport’s upgrade also aims to meet the increasing airport demand in the area, according to CAAP.

Apolonio said the project cost PHP57.889 million, and was completed in March 2017.

“Factors, such as aerodrome certification, runway lights, and markings are required before an airport becomes commercially operational,” Apolonio said when asked why it took more than a year for CAAP to inaugurate the new passenger terminal building.