The airport in Laguindingan started operation on June 15, 2013, replacing the Cagayan de Oro Airport in barangay Lumbia.
The construction of the P7.8-billion airport was funded by the Korean Eximbank. It was originally planned to operate in 2011. But this schedule was reset repeatedly to June 2012, April 30, 2013 and June 15, 2013.
The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and Congressman Rufus Rodriguez has expressed objection to the opening of Laguindingan airport in June 15, 2013, citing lack of navigational instruments which would limit the flights to 6 am and 6 pm, cut the number of commercial flights from 28 to only eight, and cause financial loses. Two days after the opening of Laguindingan Airport, Business World made this report: "Northern Mindanao's fresh produce traders could lose an estimated P300 million this year due to fewer flights to and from the new Laguindingan airport, the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., (Oro Chamber) said on Monday." [More]
Passengers also complain of the slow traffic in Alubijid, where a 1.5-kilometer road is being repaired. An official explain on DxCC that this project was meant to be finished before March 2014, which she said was the planned opening of Languindigan Airport.
Road construction in Alubijid, Jul. 23, 2013.
In Sept. 2013, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that Misamis Oriental 2nd district Representative Juliette Uy is calling for the hastening of the completion of Laguindingan Airport because “Hotel, restaurant and resort owners are complaining of lowered earnings due to the lesser flights to and from the province."
Residents of Iligan City, however, have expressed elation about the airport, because it's nearer to Iligan City by 40 kilometers compared to Lumbia Airport.
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