Tuguegarao Airport set to go 24/7 as CAAP eyes night flights by 2027

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley – As Tuguegarao Airport moves closer to completing key infrastructure upgrades, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Region 2 is eyeing the launch of night operations by 2027.

Established in 2008, CAAP is the government agency tasked with regulating and overseeing civil aviation in the Philippines.

According to CAAP Area Manager Mary Sulyn Sagorsor, in an interview with local media, night flights will become feasible once the construction of the new Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower and the expansion of the Passenger Terminal Building are completed.

Sagorsor stressed that aviation emergencies can have more severe consequences compared to land transport accidents, underscoring the need for strict safety preparations.

“Air transport disasters are very different from land transport accidents; they can be severe, so we have to be fully prepared and take them very seriously. A full-scale emergency plan is also targeted for completion this year, alongside the airport expansion and additional flights,” she was quoted as saying.

The upgrades form part of the Tuguegarao Airport Development Project, which aims to enhance operational capacity and safety standards.

Tuguegarao Airport

Tuguegarao Airport traces its origins to the mid-20th century, when it was established to improve access to Northern Luzon.

Located in Barangay Pengue Ruyu, it serves as the principal gateway to Cagayan Province and the wider Cagayan Valley Region. Its runway, measuring approximately 2,100 meters, allows it to accommodate jet aircraft and up to three Airbus aircraft simultaneously on the apron under normal operations.

Aside from its regular Manila flights, the airport serves as a vital link to remote islands and coastal communities in Northern Luzon. Regional airlines operate routes connecting Tuguegarao to Basco and Itbayat in Batanes; Calayan Island in Cagayan; and the isolated towns of Maconacon and Palanan in Isabela.

As of 2025, Tuguegarao Airport operates four daytime flights. The ongoing improvements are expected to expand capacity, boost tourism, and pave the way for round-the-clock operations.

Serving as Northern Luzon’s transportation lifeline, Tuguegarao Airport supports commerce, emergency response, and regional integration as it transforms into a modern and fully capable domestic airport.