Cotabato Airport (IATA: CBO, ICAO: RPMC), also known as Awang Airport, is an airport serving the general area of Cotabato City, North Cotabato, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur. Located in the province of Maguindanao del Norte in the Philippines. It is classified as a Class 1 principal (major domestic) airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Cotabato Airport
Sambel-Dungguan su Kutawatu
سمبيل دڠغوأن سو کوتاوات
Sambel-Dungguan su Kutawatu
Maṭār Kutawatu | |||||||||||
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Cotabato Airport
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Owner/Operator | Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (airside and landside) Bangsamoro Airport Authority (landside[1]) | ||||||||||
| Serves | Mainland Bangsamoro | ||||||||||
| Location | Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines | ||||||||||
| Operating base for | Bangsamoro Airways | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 56 m / 183 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 07°09′55″N 124°12′35″E / 7.16528°N 124.20972°E / 7.16528; 124.20972 | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  CBO/RPMC Show map of Mindanao  CBO/RPMC Show map of Philippines | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (2022) | |||||||||||
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The airport was the 21st busiest airport in the Philippines in 2021.[2] The airport is generally used by the people of Cotabato City.
The airport was temporarily closed from June 22, 2023 until October 1, 2023 for runway repairs.[3][4]
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Bangsamoro Airways | Jolo, Zamboanga[4] |
| PAL Express | Cebu, Manila, Tawi-Tawi[4] |
Data from Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).[2]
| Year | Domestic Passengers | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 46,409 | 
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| 2004 | 63,902 |  27.37%
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| 2005 | 86,920 | 26.48%
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| 2006 | 125,539 | 30.76%
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| 2007 | 127,198 | 1.3%
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| 2008 | 104,535 |  17.82%
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| 2009 | 199,133 | 47.5%
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| 2010 | 219,104 | 9.11%
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| 2011 | 122,525 | 44.07%
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| 2012 | 246,409 | 50.27%
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| 2013 | 239,625 | 2.75%
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| 2014 | 232,742 | 2.87%
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| 2015 | 241,642 | 3.68%
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| 2016 | 258,529 | 6.5%
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| 2017 | 289,229 | 10.61%
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| 2018 | 299,861 | 3.54%
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| 2019 | 309,556 | 3.23%
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| 2020 | 83,957 (COVID-19 pandemic) | 368.70%
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| 2021 | 161,247 | 92.05%
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| 2022 | 295,801 | 83.44%
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According to the recent interview with Atty. Sinarimbo in Midsayap Radio Program, they are already preparing to open flights and shipping route from Cotabato City to (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi) BASULTA. This will fasten the government services that will directly link connectivity of Bangsamoro to island Provinces. At present time cargo or passengers movement are via Zamboanga or Manila Airport and Seaport respectively. Soon this will utilize the Polloc International Seaport and Cotabato Airport capabilities.[5] [citation needed]
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), airports in the city of Cotabato is now undergoing rehabilitation and expansion.
The repairs include the widening of the breath of the runway and the upgrade of terminal facilities for night-flight capabilities and a better and safer experience for passengers to enjoy[6] On 18 June 2021, runway strip grade correction work began, conducted by DOTr, Department of National Defense (DND) and the 549th Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army. Construction work is expected to finish within 450 days.[7]
An International Airport is proposed to be built to Barangay Tamontaka, Cotabato City, while the existing domestic airport will serve as a Military Air Base. As of now, construction is anticipated in June 2019.[needs update][8][9][10]
