Iloilo International Airport (ILO): An Overview

Iloilo International Airport is the main airport for Iloilo City and the wider Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It opened in 2007, replacing the old Mandurriao Airport that had served the city for more than seven decades. Ranked among the busiest airports in the country, it handles a steady mix of domestic flights and a small number of international routes.

Location: Iloilo Airport and the Distance to Iloilo City

The airport is not in Iloilo City itself. It stands in the municipality of Cabatuan, about 24 km northwest of the city proper. Depending on traffic and where you are staying, the ride into the city usually takes somewhere between 30 and 50 minutes.

Interestingly, the site has a long aviation history. During the Second World War it was a Japanese airfield, and it later became the place where Japanese forces on Panay formally surrendered.

Inside the Iloilo Airport Terminal

The three-level passenger terminal separates arrivals, check-in and departures on different floors, which keeps the flow of passengers simple. There are food outlets, Wi-Fi and luggage carts, and Philippine Airlines runs a Mabuhay Lounge for eligible passengers. The 2,500-metre runway is long enough to handle wide-body aircraft.

Airlines and Destinations from Iloilo

Cebu Pacific has an operating base here, and domestic carriers including Philippine Airlines, Cebgo and AirAsia Philippines link Iloilo with Manila, Cebu, Davao and other cities around the archipelago.

For international travel, Scoot flies between Iloilo and Singapore, and Cebu Pacific operates a service to Hong Kong. Other overseas routes come and go with the season, so it's worth checking current schedules when you search.

Getting from Iloilo Airport to the City

• Grab: There are official Grab pick-up points at both the domestic and international arrival areas.
• Taxi: Authorised taxis queue outside arrivals. Confirm how the fare will be calculated before setting off.
• Shuttle vans: Shuttle services link the airport with points in the city, such as the SM City Iloilo area.
• Hotel transfers: A pre-booked pick-up is handy for late-night arrivals or groups.

Exploring Iloilo and Beyond

Iloilo City is known for its Spanish-era churches, heritage mansions and hearty local dishes such as La Paz batchoy. The island province of Guimaras, famous for its mangoes, is a short boat ride from the city's Parola Wharf. Boracay is further away by road and sea, so if it is your main goal, a flight to Caticlan is usually faster.

Travel Tips for Iloilo International Airport

Leave plenty of time for the drive from the city, especially at rush hour or in heavy rain. Food choices inside the terminal are limited at odd hours, so eat beforehand if you are on an early or late flight. Keep mobile data as a backup in case the airport Wi-Fi is busy.

Planning a trip through Western Visayas? Compare flights from Iloilo and book on Traveloka.