Philippines: Mt. Mayon meets the world, Bicol airport set for international flights
Bicol’s breathtaking Mt Mayon preps for spotlight as international flights set for takeoff
Manila: Pack your bags.
The Philippines' Bicol International Airport (BIA) — dubbed the “most scenic gateway” to the Philippines — (IATA code: DRP) is set to welcome global travellers.
It's a runway with a view.
Location
Located in Alobo, Daraga, Albay and framed by the majestic Mayon Volcano, BIA/DRP is ready to go global.
The province of Albay (land area: 2,576 km²) emerged as the top tourist destination in the Bicol region in 2024, as it welcomed a total of 1,391,170 domestic visitors, according to official data.
Besides Albay, the mineral-rich Bicol region in the Philippines' east is made up of five other provinces: Camarines Sur (5,497 km²), Camarines Norte (2,112 km²), Catanduanes (1,512 km²), Mabaste (4,152 km²) and Sorsogon (2,141 km²).
In a press conference, Philippine Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon dropped exciting news: the BIA — with Mt. Mayon serving major Mt. Fuji vibes in the background — is preparing to welcome international flights by the end of 2025.
Dizon said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is coordinating with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to invite international airlines, aiming to connect Bicol directly to cities like:
Hong Kong
Thailand,
Singapore, and
South Korea.
The destination is sure to be explored by other flag-carriers.
Aviation star: Best regional airport
Dizon cited BIA as the best regional airport he’s seen, and emphasized its role in the Marcos administration’s broader push to boost tourism and accelerate transport infrastructure — especially regional hubs.
Handling over 2 million passengers annually, BIA is set to become a regional aviation star.
To fast-track operations, BIA is part of the DOTr’s Airport Bundles Project under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and CAAP.
The move is also part of the Bicol Regional Tourism Development Plan, aiming to transform the region into a top-tier international destination and economic powerhouse.
Get your passports and cameras ready — this runway comes with a view.
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