Baluno Airstrip

Isabela, PH 🇵🇭 Closed Airport

ICAO

PH-0695

IATA

-

Elevation

112 ft

Region

PH-BAS

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 6.72611° N, 122.01833° E

Continent: AS

Type: Closed Airport

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

External Links

Nearby Points of Interest

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Airport Information

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 26, 2025
Closure Date

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.

Reason for Closure

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.

Current Status

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 Satellite imagery confirms that the original runway is still visible but is no longer maintained for aviation.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.

Historical Significance

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.

Reopening Prospects

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.

Nearby Airports

Malamawi Airstrip
PH-0696
Isabela, PH
Closed Airport
~5 km away
Isabela Airstrip
PH-0163
Isabela, PH
Closed Airport
~9 km away
Seahawk LZ Airstrip
RP16
Isabela, PH
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~9 km away
Limo-ok (LARBECO) Airstrip
PH-0697
Lamitan, PH
Small Airport
~15 km away
Naval Station Romulo Espaldon Heliport
PH-0161
Zamboanga, PH
Heliport
~21 km away
Western Mindanao Community Hospital Heliport
PH-0519
Zamboanga, PH
Heliport
~21 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

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