BAGUIO CITY – In the wake of Super Typhoon Julian, three key airports in Northern Luzon were forced to suspend operations due to damage, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed on Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, during the “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” briefing, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio announced that Basco, Palanan, and Bagabag airports are currently closed. These airports serve the regions of Batanes, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya respectively, all significantly impacted by the typhoon. Despite the closures, Apolonio highlighted that the procedural preparedness of CAAP minimized property damage at the northern facilities. “This is why there was not much property damage among the airports in the North,” he explained.
Further details on the specific damages were not disclosed as Apolonio mentioned that a final report on the extent of the destruction is still pending. He did, however, share photos with reporters showing the damaged roofs of the passenger terminal buildings at Basco and Itbayat airports.
In preparation for a partial resumption of operations, clearing activities are underway at Basco Airport, with flight operations tentatively scheduled to resume Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Apolonio also noted ongoing coordination to potentially open Basco Airport for military and rescue operations as early as Wednesday to assist affected residents.
Meanwhile, Apolonio reassured that normal operations have resumed at Tuguegarao and Cauayan airports, indicating a gradual normalization of air travel in other parts of the region.