Laoag International Airport

We're back in Ilocos Norte to attend the 2012 Empanada Festival in the neighboring city of Batac. During our first visit back in August 2011, we were not able to take photos of the airport since the flight was scheduled at night. This time, our flight was scheduled at noon time and we arrived at Laoag International Airport at 1:20pm. The clear sky also allowed us to take aerial shots of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, the town of Paoay and the Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte.

Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 404 on Laoag International Airport Ramp

Airlines and Flight Services

The airport is the northernmost international airport in the Philippines with flights connecting Laoag City to Kaohsiung, Taiwan via Mandarin Airlines. Locally, the airport is serviced by three airlines:

Cebu Pacific Manila-Laoag (Flight 5J 404) Laoag-Manila (Flight 5J 405)

Airphil Express Manila-Laoag (Flight 2P 387) Laoag-Manila (Flight 2P 388)

Philippine Airlines Manila-Laoag (Flight PR 226) Manila-Laoag (Flight PR 228) Laoag-Manila (Flight PR 227) Laoag-Manila (Flight PR 229)

Baggage Claim Area of Laoag International Airport

The airport has a baggage carousel and the arrival hall is fully airconditioned to ensure the comfort and convenience of the arriving visitors. At the Information Desk, don't forget to resigter with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and have your free copies of the Ilocos Norte and Paoay information sheets, both containing maps and useful details on attractions and dining, as well as contacts for accomodation and transportation.

Information Desk at the Arrival Area

Transportation to and from Downtown Laoag (Centro)

The airport is located about 7km away from downtown Laoag, which makes transportation to and from the downtown a bit of a challenge for tourists and locals alike. Through the initiative of Gov. Imee Marcos, a free shuttle service to Downtown Laoag (Centro) is now available for arriving passengers at the Laoag International Airport. For more details, read our blogpost on the Free Shuttle Service from Airport to Downtown Laoag. Alternatively, you can try to catch the Laoag-Gabu Airport jeepney or take a tricycle for Php150.00.

Unfortunately, there is no free shuttle service going back to the airport. You will have to take the Laoag-Gabu Airport jeepney or flagdown a tricycle for Php250.00-300.00.

IMPORTANT: If you are planning to bring home longanisa or bagnet as pasalubong, make sure to pack them with your check-in baggage as they are not allowed inside the aircraft cabin.