Isabela Airstrip

The closure was primarily due to a combination of economic and security factors. The rise of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and associated kidnapping-for-ransom activities in Basilan made the region extremely high-risk. Airlines suspended services due to safety concerns for passengers, crew, and aircraft, which in turn made the route economically unviable. Following the cessation of civilian flights, the strategic site was officially converted into a military installation to serve as a command center for counter-terrorism operations in the province.

The site of the former Isabela Airstrip is now the headquarters of the 104th Infantry 'Sultan' Brigade of the Philippine Army, located in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City. The original runway is still clearly visible from satellite imagery but is no longer used for aviation. It has been repurposed as a parade ground, an internal road, and an open space within the military camp, with various barracks and administrative buildings constructed alongside it.

For several decades, the Isabela Airstrip was the sole air gateway to the island province of Basilan. It was a crucial transportation link, connecting the provincial capital, Isabela City, to major hubs, most notably Zamboanga City. The airport handled commercial passenger and cargo operations, with airlines like Philippine Airlines (PAL) previously operating scheduled flights using turboprop aircraft such as the Hawker Siddeley HS 748. It was vital for the local economy, government administration, and providing access for business travelers and residents.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the Isabela Airstrip. The land has been permanently and fully converted for military use, and relocating a brigade headquarters is highly unlikely. Furthermore, the aviation needs of Basilan province are now intended to be served by the new Basilan Airport (IATA: BSL, ICAO: RPMB) located in the neighboring city of Lamitan, which was inaugurated in 2017. All efforts for restoring air connectivity to the province are focused on developing and sustaining operations at the new Lamitan airport.