A private company is seeking to expand and operate the main air gateway to Siargao Island, which has seen a boom in tourism in recent years.

Manuel Antonio Tamayo, aviation undersecretary at the Department of Transportation (DOTr), told reporters in a recent interview that ground handling company Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc. (Pagss)  had submitted an unsolicited offer to develop, operate and maintain Siargao’s Sayak Airport.

Siargao, known for its white sand beaches and surfing spots, is among the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the country. In 2018, it was named the best island in Asia by luxury travel publication Condé Nast.

Tamayo said the proposal was still being evaluated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. He added the DOTr would also take into account a separate plan by the government to build a new airport in Siargao.

Pagss is controlled by businessman Jefferson G. Cheng, whose family owns Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (Piatco).

The ground handling services company has grown more active over the past year after acquiring the startup ground handling services firm of Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific Air.

It also teamed up with the Gokongwei family’s JG Summit Holdings and Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corp. in a successful bid to operate and maintain the Clark International Airport in Pampanga province.