Marikina Airfield

The primary reason for the closure was urban encroachment and subsequent real estate development. As Metro Manila expanded, the land on which the airfield was located became extremely valuable. The site was acquired by developers to construct the Loyola Grand Villas, an upscale residential subdivision. The operation of an airfield became incompatible with the surrounding urban development due to noise, safety concerns, and the high economic value of the land for housing.

The site of the former Marikina Airfield is now completely developed and occupied by the Loyola Grand Villas subdivision, a high-end residential community located along the border of Marikina City and Quezon City. The original runway has been repurposed and now serves as the main thoroughfare of the subdivision, named Soliven Avenue. The wide, straight layout of this road is the most prominent remnant of the former airfield. The entire area is covered with luxury homes, streets, and other residential infrastructure, leaving no physical trace of the airport facilities.

During its operational years, primarily from the 1970s through the 1980s, Marikina Airfield was a key general aviation (GA) hub in Metro Manila. It was a private airstrip that catered to flying clubs, flight training schools, and private aircraft owners. The airfield was a bustling center for recreational flying and pilot training, typically handling light aircraft such as Cessna 152s, Cessna 172s, and Piper Cherokees. It played a vital role in the local aviation community, providing an accessible base for enthusiasts and aspiring pilots before the pressures of urban growth led to the closure of many such small airfields within the capital region.

There are absolutely no plans or prospects for reopening the Marikina Airfield. The land has been irreversibly converted into a densely populated, high-value residential area. Reacquiring the land, demolishing hundreds of homes, and reverting it to aviation use is logistically, financially, and politically impossible. The current land use is permanent.