The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has issued a statement addressing recent social media reports claiming that Zamboanga International Airport will temporarily close for repairs. The agency firmly denied these claims, emphasizing that the airport remains fully operational.
The clarification comes in response to a post by Aviso Zamboanga on Facebook, which alleged that the airport would be closed for a month in March for repairs, potentially leading to significant economic losses estimated at PHP 15.4 billion annually for the region. CAAP has labeled these reports as “misleading and unverified.”
While acknowledging ongoing infrastructure projects at Zamboanga International Airport, including runway rehabilitation and terminal expansion, CAAP stated that there are no plans to suspend operations. The agency assured the public that it is committed to implementing these improvements with minimal disruption to travelers.
“Any scheduled repairs or maintenance work at Zamboanga International Airport and other CAAP-operated airports will be communicated through our official channels,” the CAAP statement read. The authority urged passengers and the public to rely on official CAAP platforms for accurate information regarding flight schedules and airport status.
According to Aviso Zamboanga’s post, discussions regarding the proposed Phase 3 runway repairs at the airport, scheduled to begin in March 2025, have raised concerns about potential economic ramifications, particularly for the tourism sector and local businesses.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Zamboanga City reportedly proposed two alternatives: halting the project altogether or accelerating the repair timeline with a 24/7 work schedule.
Aviso Zamboanga further reported that a resolution has been approved to create a Task Force, led by CAAP IX, to develop recommendations for the execution of the runway repairs.
CAAP strongly condemned the spread of false information, emphasizing that it causes unnecessary panic and disrupts travel plans. “The circulation of unverified claims is both irresponsible and detrimental to public confidence,” the agency stated.
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