Cotabato Airport

Cotabato Airport (IATA: CBO, ICAO: RPMC), also known as Awang Airport, is an airport serving the general area of Cotabato City, North Cotabato, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur. It is located in the province of Maguindanao del Norte in the Philippines and is classified as a Class 1 principal (major domestic) airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Cotabato Airport Paliparan ng Cotabato سمبيل دڠغوأن سو کوتاوات مطار كوتاوات Sambel-Dungguan su Kutawatu Maṭār Kutawatu
Cotabato Airport
IATA: CBO ICAO: RPMC WMO: 98746
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner/Operator	Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (airside and landside) Bangsamoro Airport Authority (landside[1])
Serves	Bangsamoro mainland
Location	Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines
Operating base for	Bangsamoro Airways
Elevation AMSL	56 m / 183 ft
Coordinates	07°09′55″N 124°12′35″E
Map
CBO/RPMC Show map of Mindanao mainland CBO/RPMC Show map of Philippines
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 10/28 1,900 6,234 Asphalt
Statistics (2022)
Passengers 295,801 83.44% Aircraft movements 2,384 6.23% Cargo (in kg) 1,264,809 8.53%
Source: Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines[2]

The airport was the 21st busiest airport in the Philippines in 2021.^[2] The airport is generally used by the people of Cotabato City.

The airport was temporarily closed from June 22, 2023 until October 1, 2023 for runway repairs.^[3][4]

Airlines and destinations

Departure Area of Cotabato Airport.

Airlines	Destinations
Bangsamoro Airways	Jolo, Zamboanga[4]
PAL Express	Cebu, Manila, Tawi-Tawi[4]

Statistics

Data from Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).^[2]

Passenger movements

Year	Domestic Passengers	Change
2003	46,409
2004	63,902	27.37%
2005	86,920	26.48%
2006	125,539	30.76%
2007	127,198	1.3%
2008	104,535	17.82%
2009	199,133	47.5%
2010	219,104	9.11%
2011	122,525	44.07%
2012	246,409	50.27%
2013	239,625	2.75%
2014	232,742	2.87%
2015	241,642	3.68%
2016	258,529	6.5%
2017	289,229	10.61%
2018	299,861	3.54%
2019	309,556	3.23%
2020	83,957 (COVID-19 pandemic)	368.70%
2021	161,247	92.05%
2022	295,801	83.44%

Future plans

Potential Destinations

According to the recent interview with Atty. Sinarimbo in Midsayap Radio Program, they are already preparing to open flights and shipping route from Cotabato City to (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi) BASULTA. This will fasten the government services that will directly link connectivity of Bangsamoro to island Provinces. At present time cargo or passengers movement are via Zamboanga or Manila Airport and Seaport respectively. Soon this will utilize the Polloc International Seaport and Cotabato Airport capabilities.^{[5] [citation needed]}

Night flights and Infrastructure Upgrades

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), airports in the city of Cotabato is now undergoing rehabilitation and expansion.

The repairs include the widening of the breath of the runway and the upgrade of terminal facilities for night-flight capabilities and a better and safer experience for passengers to enjoy^[6] On 18 June 2021, runway strip grade correction work began, conducted by DOTr, Department of National Defense (DND) and the 549th Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army. Construction work is expected to finish within 450 days.^[7]

International airport

An International Airport is proposed to be built to Barangay Tamontaka, Cotabato City, while the existing domestic airport will serve as a Military Air Base. As of now, construction is anticipated in June 2019.^{[needs update][8][9][10]}

See also

• List of airports in the Philippines

Notes