Iloilo International Airport has recently revived and expanded its international routes. Cebu Pacific and Scoot now connect Iloilo (ILO) to Singapore’s Changi Airport with daily service, operating seven flights per week. Cebu Pacific has also resumed its Iloilo–Hong Kong flights in the 2024 schedule, operating four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays with departures from Iloilo. Additionally, Cebu Pacific operates a direct Iloilo–Bangkok Don Mueang connection. Domestic carriers Philippine Airlines and AirAsia remain focused on Manila and other Philippine cities.
All these international flights are economy-class. The Changi service takes approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes from Iloilo, the Hong Kong route about 2 hours and 45 minutes, and the Bangkok flight around 3 hours and 55 minutes.
Flights are spread throughout the day. Iloilo–Singapore departures range from early morning (as early as 6:10 a.m.) to late evening (latest flight 10:50 p.m.). Cebu Pacific’s Hong Kong service operates very late: flight times vary 10:45–11:00 p.m.. The Bangkok flights depart Iloilo at about 9:30 p.m. on their two weekly days. In all cases the routes have consistent schedules: for example, Cebu Pacific’s Hong Kong flights leave Iloilo every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday as of late 2024, and return flights from Hong Kong are timed for the following days. (Cebu Pacific and Scoot are the only airlines offering non-stop service on these routes.)
Infrastructure and Expansion Plans
Iloilo’s facilities are poised to handle more international traffic. The airport has a single 2,500‑meter runway (45 m wide) capable of accommodating wide-body jets (A330, A340, A350, Boeing 777, etc.). It was built with instrument landing systems and runway lights for night operations. The main passenger terminal (13,700 m²) has three jet bridges and a large apron, and was originally designed for about 1.2 million passengers per year. In practice it has seen far higher demand. Passenger totals have roughly doubled the original design in recent years.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Department of Transportation have launched a major upgrade program. A ₱190.45‑million package is underway to refurbish the terminal building and its systems. This includes structural and mechanical works (new A/C units, escalators, plumbing, a boarding bridge, etc.) and expansion of the international waiting areas. When all projects complete, international passenger capacity will rise from about 360 to roughly 407 people at peak. Runway rehabilitation (an overlay resurfacing project) is also planned. As CAAP Director General Raul Del Rosario noted, these works are intended to ensure the airport is “safe, efficient, and passenger-friendly” as traffic grows.
Passenger Traffic and Market Demand
Traffic statistics show a robust recovery and growth in Iloilo’s market. The airport handled roughly 1.39 million arriving passengers in 2024 – a 19.97% jump over the previous year. Daily usage is high: in September 2023 the airport saw about 2,533 arriving and 2,852 departing passengers per day on average. This surge reflects broader tourism trends in Western Visayas. The region welcomed about 5.9 million tourists in 2024 (surpassing pre-pandemic levels), including over 600,000 foreign visitors. Iloilo City itself surpassed one million tourist arrivals in 2024. Such strong demand – from vacationers, business travelers and the Filipino diaspora – supports further international connections.
Local officials and business leaders have emphasized the need for expansion. In late 2023 the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation and city/provincial governments urged CAAP to upgrade the airport via public‑private partnership, warning that “outdated facilities and limited infrastructure have hindered economic growth”. Iloilo’s mayor and governor, backed by business groups, have repeatedly called for fast‑tracking the airport expansion to relieve congestion. Cebu Pacific, for its part, has signaled confidence in the market: at an October 2024 launch event it announced that Iloilo–Singapore service would resume in November. Local officials note especially the demand from overseas Filipino workers: many Iloilo OFWs “are hoping for the reinstatement of flights to Hong Kong and Singapore,” said airport and city leaders.
Outlook: Potential for More Routes
Taken together, Iloilo’s modernized facilities and strong passenger growth suggest the potential for additional international routes. The airport’s strategic location – serving Panay Island and Western Visayas – and its improved terminal and runway infrastructure mean it could host more flights as demand justifies. Tourism officials and CAAP have highlighted the region’s rising visitor numbers and the airport’s readiness for international service. With airlines showing renewed interest and government backing for expansion, analysts see Iloilo in a good position to attract new international carriers or frequencies. While Cebu Pacific and Scoot lead the current international network, further routes (for example to Kuala Lumpur, Seoul or Middle Eastern destinations) could become viable if passenger demand continues to climb and infrastructure keeps pace.
Ilonggo Traveler 
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