Siasi Airport

The primary reasons for closure were a combination of severe security threats and economic non-viability. The rise of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and general lawlessness in the Sulu Archipelago during this period made air operations extremely hazardous for airlines, crew, and passengers. The persistent security risks led to airlines suspending services, which in turn made the airport economically unsustainable to maintain and operate.

The airport is completely abandoned and non-operational. An analysis of recent satellite imagery of the coordinates (5.566779, 120.841627) confirms that the former runway is heavily overgrown with grass and vegetation. Furthermore, the land has been significantly encroached upon by local housing, agricultural plots, and other structures built directly on or adjacent to the former airstrip. No aviation infrastructure, such as a terminal building or navigation aids, remains functional.

Siasi Airport was a vital community airstrip that served as a critical transportation link for the island municipality of Siasi. It connected the island with larger regional hubs, most notably Zamboanga (ZAM) and the provincial capital, Jolo (JOL). In its active years, it was primarily serviced by Philippine Airlines (PAL) using turboprop aircraft suitable for short, unpaved runways, such as the Hawker Siddeley HS 748. The airport was crucial for passenger travel, transport of light cargo and mail, and providing government and medical access to an otherwise isolated island community, significantly reducing travel time compared to the slower and often perilous sea routes.

Currently, there are no concrete, funded, or scheduled plans for the reopening of Siasi Airport. However, improving connectivity and infrastructure within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is a long-term strategic goal for the regional government's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC). The rehabilitation of defunct community airports like Siasi is occasionally mentioned in broader development discussions. Any potential reopening would be a massive undertaking, contingent on a vastly improved and stable security situation, significant government investment to clear encroachments and rebuild the runway and facilities, and a compelling economic case to attract an airline to resume services.