Nonoc Airport

Economic. The airport was a private airstrip built exclusively to serve the Nonoc Nickel Refinery, which was operated by the Marinduque Mining and Industrial Corporation (MMIC). In the early 1980s, a combination of plummeting global nickel prices, extremely high fuel costs for the refinery, and massive corporate debt forced MMIC to cease operations. The company eventually went bankrupt, and its assets, including the refinery and the airport, were foreclosed upon by government financial institutions. With the mine and refinery shut down, the airport lost its sole purpose and was subsequently abandoned.

The airport is abandoned and completely non-operational. Satellite imagery of the coordinates confirms a clearly defined but derelict runway. The pavement is cracked, deteriorated, and heavily overgrown with grass and other vegetation. It is not maintained and is unsuitable for any aviation activity. The site is essentially a relic of the island's former industrial peak. While the old MMIC facilities have been acquired by new operators (Sumitomo Metal Mining), the airstrip itself remains unused.

Nonoc Airport was a vital logistical asset for what was, in the 1970s and early 1980s, one of the largest and most advanced nickel refineries in Asia. It was never a public or commercial airport. Its primary role was to provide rapid transportation for the mining company. Operations included: 1) Transporting company executives, engineers, foreign partners, and government officials to and from the remote island. 2) Facilitating the urgent delivery of critical spare parts, specialized equipment, and important documents. 3) Serving as a staging point for medical evacuations for company personnel. The airstrip was essential for connecting the massive industrial complex to major business hubs like Manila and Cebu, bypassing the slower sea travel.

There are no known or publicly discussed plans to reopen Nonoc Airport. The current operators of the nickel processing facility on the island utilize more modern and cost-effective logistics. Personnel and light cargo are typically transported via helicopter or fast-ferry services from Surigao City on the mainland, while heavy equipment and materials are brought in by sea. The significant cost required to clear, rebuild, and certify the runway to modern aviation standards is considered economically unviable, as current transportation methods are sufficient for the operator's needs.