๐ต๐ญ Mati, Philippines
Mati Airport (MXI), also known as Imelda R. Marcos Airport, serves the city of Mati and the province of Davao Oriental in the southeastern Philippines. The terminal is a simple, functional structure that primarily caters to general aviation, private charters, and occasional domestic regional flights. it provides an essential air link for this scenic part of Mindanao, which is famous for its white-sand beaches and diverse natural attractions.
Inside the terminal, facilities are basic, featuring a small waiting area and administrative offices for airport management. There are no substantial retail or dining options on-site, so travelers are encouraged to bring their own refreshments and essentials. The airport has undergone several maintenance projects to improve its runway and facilities, aiming to boost local tourism and support regional connectivity. It serves as a convenient alternative to the long overland journey from Davao City for those heading to the eastern coast of Mindanao.
Ground transportation to Mati city center and nearby tourist destinations like Dahican Beach is readily available via local tricycles and pre-arranged private vehicles. The airport's location near Pujada Bay offers travelers stunning views of the coastal landscapes during arrival and departure. It remains an important infrastructure point for the development of Davao Oriental, facilitating the movement of people and supporting the local tourism and agricultural sectors.
As of March 12, 2026, Mati Airport (MXI) is still best treated as a redevelopment project rather than a normal scheduled gateway, even though local and national officials have been pushing the site toward operations for smaller aircraft. Do not build a wider itinerary around MXI unless you have current confirmation from the operator or local authorities that your specific charter or special flight is actually going ahead on the date you need. For most visitors headed to Dahican, Pujada Bay, or provincial business in Mati, the safest connection strategy is still to treat DVO as the air gateway and regard MXI as a developing future option rather than the primary plan.
For most real-world trips to Mati and Davao Oriental, the dependable plan remains flying into Davao City's Francisco Bangoy International Airport and finishing the journey by road. If you do have approved access to MXI, keep expectations conservative: facilities are limited, fallback transport at the airfield is thin, and the airport does not yet function like an established commercial domestic terminal with robust recovery options.
That onward transfer can take several hours depending on traffic and the exact destination, so it is worth deciding in advance whether you need a bus, van, private car, or hotel-arranged pickup. Have a local contact in Mati, carry the driver's number and accommodation details offline, and make sure any pickup understands the exact arrival point and timing because there may be less on-site passenger handling than travelers are used to.
โข No scheduled flights; fly to Davao City (DVO) and drive 3 hours.
โข Pre-arrange a private van for the scenic drive from Davao.
โข The airport is a gateway to the famous Dahican Beach.
โข Financial tip: Carry cash (PHP) for all local transport and road tolls.
โข Check for current security advisories for the Davao Oriental region.
Minimum domestic connection:
45 minutes
International connections:
90 minutes
Interline transfers:
120 minutes
See current Google Maps reviews, ratings, photos, and traveler experiences for Mati Airport (MXI).
Compare MXI/RPMQ with another airport: Comparison Tool
Surallah, Philippines
Baguio, Philippines
Bacolod, Philippines
Bislig, Philippines
Baler, Philippines
Last updated: April 2026 | Data Source: IATA and other airline sites and resources