Tagbilaran Airport

The airport was closed because it was replaced by the new, larger, and more modern Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA). The old Tagbilaran Airport had significant operational limitations that hindered the growth of tourism and trade in the province. These limitations included: a short runway that could not accommodate larger, wide-body aircraft for long-haul international flights; a small terminal building that was frequently congested; and a location in the heart of a densely populated city, which posed safety risks and prevented any future expansion. The new airport on Panglao Island was built to overcome all these issues and serve as a premier international gateway for the region.

The site of the former airport has been turned over to the provincial government of Bohol for redevelopment. It is being transformed into a new mixed-use commercial, IT, and business hub, often referred to as the 'Tagbilaran City North Central Business District' or 'Bohol Business Park'. Plans for the 17.79-hectare property include office buildings, a convention center, commercial establishments, and public green spaces. While major construction is planned, the old runway and tarmac have been used intermittently for various public and private events, such as motorcades, drag racing, and as a temporary COVID-19 vaccination drive-through center.

For decades, Tagbilaran Airport was the principal air gateway to the province of Bohol and its famous tourist attractions, including the Chocolate Hills and the beaches of Panglao Island. Classified as a Principal Airport, Class 1 by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), it was vital for the local economy and tourism sector. The airport primarily handled domestic flights, with major carriers like Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia Philippines operating regular routes, mainly to and from Manila and Cebu. Operations typically involved narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and turboprops like the ATR 72. Its central location earned it the nickname 'the airport in the heart of the city'.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the site as an airport. Its closure is permanent, as its function has been completely superseded by the Bohol-Panglao International Airport. The land is considered prime real estate within the city, and its redevelopment into a new economic center is the definitive future for the site.