Isabela, PH 🇵🇭 Closed Airport
PH-0695
-
112 ft
PH-BAS
Loading...
Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 6.72611° N, 122.01833° E
Continent: AS
Type: Closed Airport
Unfortunately, recent traveler reviews and experiences for Baluno Airstrip (PH-0695) in Isabela, PH are not readily available through public search. This often indicates that the airstrip may be primarily used for private, military, or non-commercial purposes, rather than regular commercial passenger flights that would typically generate online reviews.
As no traveler reviews or operational details related to passenger experience could be found, it is not possible to provide an overall recommendation or summary statement based on traveler sentiment for Baluno Airstrip (PH-0695).
Researching traveler experiences online...
Loading weather data...
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
Commercial operations ceased gradually between the late 1990s and early 2000s. A precise date is not documented, as the closure was a process of airlines suspending services rather than an official government decree on a specific day.
The primary reason for the closure to commercial traffic was the severe deterioration of the security situation in Basilan province due to the insurgency and terrorist activities of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). The escalating conflict and kidnappings made it extremely high-risk and economically non-viable for commercial airlines to operate flights into the area. The airport's infrastructure was subsequently taken over for exclusive military use.
The site of the former Baluno Airstrip is now fully integrated into a military installation, specifically the headquarters of the 4th Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army. Satellite imagery confirms that the original runway is still visible but is no longer maintained for aviation. It is partially obstructed by military buildings, training facilities, and vehicles. The area is an active and fortified military camp, completely inaccessible for civilian use.
The airstrip, officially known as Isabela Airport (its former ICAO code was RPMB), was the main air portal for Isabela City and the island province of Basilan. It was a vital link for commerce, government travel, and private transport. The airport handled domestic commercial flights, most notably from regional carriers like Asian Spirit, which provided crucial connections to Zamboanga City. Historically, it also served a dual purpose, acting as a strategic logistical hub for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for troop deployment and supply movements in their campaigns in the region.
There are significant and ongoing efforts to reopen the airport. The provincial government of Basilan and officials from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been actively lobbying the national government for its rehabilitation, citing the potential to boost economic development, trade, and tourism as the regional security situation has improved. The primary obstacle is the current occupation of the land by the military. Reopening the airport would require the complex and costly relocation of the 4th Special Forces Battalion camp, followed by substantial investment to reconstruct the runway, build a new terminal, and install modern aviation equipment. While there is strong political will, there is no firm timeline or funding commitment for the project yet.