Dipolog Airport (DPL)

Dipolog Airport (RPMG) serves as the main aviation gateway for Dipolog, the capital city of Zamboanga del Norte in the Philippines, classified as a Class 1 principal domestic airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The modern terminal building accommodates 300 passengers with upgraded capacity from its original 170-passenger design, featuring contemporary security systems including metal detectors and X-ray machines for efficient passenger and baggage screening, plus essential amenities such as restrooms, food stalls, souvenir shops, ATM facilities, and vehicle parking for passenger convenience. The airport operates with a single concrete runway measuring 1,912 meters long by 30 meters wide (oriented 02/20), capable of handling regional aircraft including Airbus A319 and A320 operations. The 150-by-100-meter apron can simultaneously accommodate two Airbus A320s and three large general aviation aircraft. Infrastructure includes a modern control tower, Category V fire station with four fire trucks, and a new parking area complex near the Miss Universe Garden, ensuring comprehensive safety and operational support. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines provide regular service to Manila (NAIA) with flight times of 1 hour 20 minutes, and Cebu (Mactan-Cebu International) with 60-minute flight times, handling approximately 243,000 passengers annually. Located just 3 kilometers (5 minutes drive) from downtown Dipolog, the airport serves as a crucial regional hub for Zamboanga del Norte, though operations occasionally face weather-related delays and maintenance requirements typical of Philippine regional airports, with recent runway repairs completed in November 2023 following temporary safety-related closures.