Buri Airfield

The primary reason for closure was the end of World War II, which eliminated its military purpose. The airfield was built specifically for the Leyte Campaign and subsequent operations. Post-war, it was deemed redundant for civilian use due to the development and proximity of the more strategically located Tacloban Airport (now Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport), which serves as the primary air hub for the region.

The site of the former Buri Airfield has been completely reclaimed for agricultural use. Satellite imagery and local accounts confirm that the land is now covered with rice paddies, coconut groves, and other farmland. While the faint outlines of the former runways and taxiways can sometimes be discerned from the air or on satellite maps, there are no remaining airport structures or infrastructure. The land has been returned to the local community for farming.

Buri Airfield holds significant historical importance as a major American military airbase during World War II. Constructed by the U.S. Army's 855th Engineer Aviation Battalion starting in November 1944, it was a key asset for the Fifth Air Force during the Battle of Leyte. The airfield hosted numerous bomber and fighter groups, including the 43rd Bombardment Group (B-24 Liberators) and the 380th Bombardment Group (B-24 Liberators). From Buri, aircraft conducted bombing missions against Japanese forces in the Philippines, as well as strategic strikes against targets in Formosa (now Taiwan) and other Japanese-held territories. It was part of a complex of airfields in the Burauen area (including Buri, San Pablo, and Bayug) that were critical to securing air superiority and supporting ground operations to liberate the Philippines.

There are no known official plans or serious prospects for reopening Buri Airfield. The region is adequately served by the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City. The land is now privately owned and extensively used for agriculture, making any redevelopment for aviation purposes economically unfeasible and logistically complex. Its historical significance is its primary legacy, rather than any potential for future aviation use.