Patag Airfield

The airport was closed to all commercial air traffic following the opening of the new, more modern Laguindingan Airport (IATA: CGY, ICAO: RPMY). The primary reasons for the move were the operational and safety limitations of the old airport, which included a shorter runway, difficult terrain for instrument approaches (being on a plateau), and limited capacity for expansion. Upon its closure to civilian flights, the facility was fully converted into a military air base for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The site is now a fully operational military air base known as Lumbia Airfield or Lumbia Air Base. It is the headquarters of the Tactical Operations Wing Northern Mindanao (TOW-NM) of the Philippine Air Force. The base is used for tactical air operations, military transport, air surveillance, and as a forward operating base for disaster relief and humanitarian assistance missions in the Mindanao region. While closed to the public and commercial aviation, it remains active for military and occasional government/VIP flights.

The facility was primarily known as Lumbia Airport, the former main domestic airport serving Cagayan de Oro and the Northern Mindanao region. For decades, it was the primary air gateway, handling flights from major hubs like Manila and Cebu. It operated with the IATA code CGY (which was transferred to the new airport) and the ICAO code RPML. Major domestic carriers such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Airphil Express operated regular services. The airport was crucial for the region's economy, tourism, and connectivity. It also shared the space with the Philippine Air Force, serving as a base for the 15th Strike Wing before its full conversion to a military-exclusive facility.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Patag Airfield (Lumbia Airfield) for commercial operations. The national and local governments are fully invested in the development and expansion of Laguindingan Airport as the primary commercial gateway for the region. The site's current role as a strategic military installation for the Philippine Air Force is considered its permanent and future function.