Saturday, May 16, 2015

Transportation and Services at Laguindingan International Airport

Laguindingan International Airport (CDO Airport) is located at Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, an hour away from Cagayan de Oro City and approximately 30-45 minutes away from Iligan City. Laguindingan is the gateway to many tourist spots in Mindanao. Going north, you can experience adventures like white water rafting at Cagayan de Oro City, longest dual zipline and dropzone at Bukidnon and enjoy tourist spots in Camiguin like sunken cemetery and springs. Going south, you can experience the nature at Ma. Cristina Falls in Iligan City and be immersed in Mindanao Culture with people of Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga.

From the airport:
The airport opened in 2013, making people more concerned on the transportation but it's a good thing that the management has set up a good system for the outgoing and incoming passengers. Transportation is not a problem upon going outside the airport because different transportation options are readily available at the exit. If you do not have a private vehicle, shuttles and taxi cabs are a good deal. Shuttles offer a standard rate of 199PhP to Cagayan de Oro City but student and senior citizen discounts also apply. Just present a valid ID to the teller to avail of the 20% discount.
Shuttle companies at the airport exit
Shuttle companies at the airport exit
Among the shuttle companies available, I personally like Magnum Express. Magnum Express' vehicle is a mini bus with 4 seats per row (2 on the right, 2 on the left), unlike other shuttles, which use vans. Magnum Express like other shuttles may drop you off at any point along the highway but it's specific drop-off points are Centrio Ayala Mall, Limketkai Mall, and Agora Bus Terminal (terminal to Butuan, Bukidnon, Davao, Lanao del Sur, GenSan, Cotabato).

There are also shuttles which travel as far as Bukidnon, like Super 5, Alavoai, Lord's Transport, and Jhalyn and some even offer door-to-door services, like Jhalyn which also accepts credit card payments. There are also companies that have rent-a-car services and tour packages.
Shuttle companies at the airport exit
For passengers going south, you may ride a shuttle to Cagayan de Oro City and ask the driver to drop you off at Bulua terminal where you can ride a bus directly to Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga but if you don't want to travel an additional hour by going to CDO first, you may ride a shuttle at the airport directly to Iligan City and from there, you ride a bus to any destination going south.

You may be suprised by a number of barkers inviting you to ride on their shuttle and promoting their services, who could be annoying for first timers, so it's better if you already have a shuttle of choice before going out the airport exit.

Recently, Laguindingan Aiport has opened its night flights, extending shuttle operations up to 8pm. Aside from shuttles, there are also airport accredited taxis (Alphat Taxi) with a meter flagdown of 70PhP. Some unaccredited taxis offer fixed payment of 250-300PhP to Cagayan de Oro City and if you are lucky enough, you can get one for 199PhP only.

To the Airport:
Going to the airport, different shuttles and taxis are readily available in the city. In Agora Terminal, there are some shuttles that can directly bring you to the airport. However, some shuttles wait for enough number of passengers before departing.

One shuttle company, Magnum Express, has a terminal/ticketing center at Limketkai Mall beside Island Souvenir shop. The waiting area is very comfortable as it has good airconditioning with available snacks inside. They operate every hour from 3AM and they make sure that there is an available shuttle for every departure and arrival time in the airport. Magnum Express also implements a strict system because they set boarding and departure time regardless of the number of passengers.

Taxis are also available going to the airport but some ask for additional charge or a fixed price since they have a hard time picking up passengers at the airport because there are airport-accredited taxis.

For private vehicles, the airport charge a parking fee of 20PhP. For overnight parking, a 150PhP fee is charged per night.

Extra Services at the Airport:
Airline offices near the departure area
Airline offices near the departure area
Near the entrance of the departure area are ticketing centers of airlines (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Air Asia) where you can print, buy and rebook your ticket and ask your flight-related concerns.

Inside the airport, there are food shops available to fill your tummies while waiting for your flight. Kenny Rogers and Seattle's Best are located at 2nd floor at the waiting area. There is also a souvenir shop at the right side where you can buy different products from Mindanao. If airport food price doesn't fit your budget, there are food stalls outside the airport with a variety of food from meals to snacks, for as low as 20PhP.

For travellers who need emergency photocopying services, unfortunately it is not available in the airport. However, a few meters from the airport, at the highway-airport road junction there is a photocopying center. It's landmark is the big billboard before turning right to the airport road. It is actually a far walking distance from the airport but one can also reach it by riding a passenger motorcycle. You can just ask the security guards where you can ride one.

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