GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing to resume commercial flights at General Santos Airport within a week after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake damaged parts of the facility on June 8, 2026.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered CAAP to fast-track repairs to the airport passenger terminal building. Lopez observed damaged ceiling sections, cracks in terminal walls, broken glass in the control tower, and issues affecting airport electrical systems.
“I am giving CAAP and our personnel here one week to repair the facility so we can resume commercial operations in General Santos City,” Lopez said.
The earthquake forced the immediate suspension of all commercial flights. However, the airport has already reopened for military, humanitarian, government, and relief flights.
CAAP was also instructed to ensure the airport control tower is fully operational. Structural assessments are being conducted around the clock.
The LTFRB has been directed to issue special permits to bus operators serving Davao Airport to GenSan routes to assist stranded passengers.
Reopening General Santos Airport is critical for the city economic recovery. As the main hub for South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato, restoring commercial air travel will revive tourism and trade.
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