Siargao is bracing for a change at its gateway, Sayak Airport in Del Carmen. While it’s hard to know exactly when, plans are underway to expand the terminal so it can better handle the island’s growing number of visitors.
Right now, Sayak Airport handles around 17 to 19 flights a day, and its seating space holds just about 200 people. To ease the crowding, officials are building a new modular terminal that could open by December 2025. This would increase seating capacity to somewhere between 600 and 700, tripling what is available now. These changes include removing the VIP lounge and an extra X-ray machine to make space and speed up security lines.
There is also talk of taking bigger steps, such as extending the runway and constructing a full passenger terminal so Siargao could welcome direct international flights. That could lift a huge barrier for travelers and is part of a wider push to turn regional airports into tourism and growth hubs.
The expansion is not just about adding more seats. It is about creating a place that feels like Siargao. Architect Royal Pineda and designer Kenneth Cobonpue are involved, bringing hopes for a design that reflects the island’s laid-back resort feel and uses local materials and tradition to keep its identity alive.
Tourism is booming here. Visitors to the island rose nearly ten percent in early 2025 compared to the same period last year, and more than 529,000 people came in 2023 compared to 125,000 in 2022. Better airport facilities could ease travel stress and help smaller businesses thrive, from surf instructors and homestay owners to tricycle drivers and local eateries.
Safety for travelers is also getting attention. New solar street lighting along coastal roads is in the works to help motorbike riders and late-night commuters travel safely, especially with the growing number of tourists exploring beyond General Luna.
As Siargao welcomes these changes, many hope that development remains balanced with nature. Locals and environmental groups are calling for strict building rules to ensure the island does not lose its charm to mass tourism. The challenge is finding the middle ground between progress and preserving what makes Siargao feel like home.
There is no guarantee when the full transformation will arrive, but progress is underway. The upgrades at Sayak Airport send a strong message that Siargao is stepping forward, with its people hoping these changes bring opportunities while keeping the island’s peaceful, authentic character intact.
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