Inaugurated last June 13, 2007, the old Mandurriao airport of Iloilo was finally decommissioned by the Air Transportation Office and moved to its new facility in the town of Cabatuan, some 20 kilometers away from the old airport. With the promise of economic growth that will bring upon this region, the new Iloilo Airport can take 1 million passengers per year and can accommodate wide-bodied aircraft and currently the 4th busiest airport in the Philippines as according to ATO. And because of its distance and new location, for the benefit of the travelers, here are some tips on how to get in or out of the new airport:
- The usual thing you do in when you arrive at the airport, hail a taxi. The fare (flagdown is PhP40) from the airport to the city on average is from PhP250-350 or 400 depending on what location in Iloilo City will you be. This is the most expensive way to get in or out of the airport to the city. Getting into the new airport via taxi would more or less cost you around PhP350.
- Shuttle services by Merriam, Suzie Star Tours and much more are being offered to cash-strapped travelers. PhP50 is the fare coming from the airport, P70 is the fare coming from the city. You can be dropped at strategic sites such as SM City, Molo Plaza and Jaro Plaza. There are also shuttle services available at SM City Iloilo, Molo area & Jaro Plaza which leaves the city 2 hours before the scheduled flight of the passengers.
- The longer and the cheapest alternative. Multicabs from Bangga Dama (Dama Junction) shuttles passengers to the airport for PhP10. From Bangga Dama in Santa Barbara town, take a jeepney to the city (Highway if you’ll be going straight to Mandurriao District, City Proper, Molo or SM City or LaPaz if your heading to Boracay/North Panay Bus Terminal or Jaro and LaPaz Districts) and it’ll cost you approximately P15.
Thanks Nard. This is very helpful!