If plans push through, Tagbilaran Airport will earn the bragging rights over the New Bohol Airport for a first touchdown of a commercial aircraft from an international flight.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto revealed plans of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to lease the remaining 3,000 square meter space for an airport apron, or an area where planes are parked or boarded, and terminal building exclusively for international flights yesterday, Friday, June 3, 2016 during his weekly dialogue with the Bohol Media live from Manila.

Initial technical studies by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and PAL technical groups showed that the present length of the Tagbilaran Airport runway is capable of handling PAL’s Airbus 320 aircrafts, according to Chatto.

PAL intends to use their Airbus operating fleet that can carry 166 passengers, the maximum range for the runway length of the Tagbilaran Airport, said Chatto.

PAL decided to look into the possibility of building a separate terminal for it’s planned international flights from Incheon, South Korea to Bohol after finding the present terminal too cramp.

Present aircraft schedules that are bunched from morning to afternoon with an average arrival and departures of nine flights causing passenger congestion at the arrival and pre – departure areas.

PAL, according to Chatto is seriously looking into negotiating with the SVD congregation for the lease of additional space adjacent to an apron used for parking slot for disabled aircrafts.

Chatto met with PAL President Jaime Bautista and CAAP Director Genereal Lt. Gen William Hotchkiss lll AFP (Ret) on Thursday, June 2, 2016 in Manila to discuss the planned international flights to Tagbilaran Airport by PAL. (Chito M. Visarra)