It’s Laguindingan Airport, Not Cagayan de Oro Airport

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—WHAT'S in a name? A big deal, apparently, for Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano.

Emano disclosed he personally complained recently to Cebu Pacific CEO Lance Gokongwei to change the landing spiel of the airline’s flight attendants upon touch down at the Laguindingan Airport.

The airport is located in the town of Laguindingan in the provinces, and not Cagayan de Oro City in the neighboring province of Misamis Oriental, some 35 kilometers away. Emano insisted the use of Laguindingan by airlines to identity the airport's current location, saying those who still use Cagayan de Oro Airport are misleading their passengers.

The Laguindingan Airport was built in 2013 to replace the old Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, which is now being used by the Philippine Air Force. It was transferred due to its ideal location and proximity to the coast.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Airlines said their domestic flights have already revised the landing spiel, welcoming passengers that they “have landed in Laguindingan, your gateway to Cagayan de Oro.”

Emano said his request to Gokongwei was made during the sidelines of the opening of Cebu Pacific’s new hub at the Laguindingan Airport. The opening of the Laguindingan hub of Cebu Pacific would mean a focus of more flights emanating from or going to this destination. Cebu Pacific currently serves a total of 146 weekly flights out Laguindingan.