At long last, Davao International Airport (DIA)—Mindanao’s busiest aviation hub—is set for the long-overdue modernization it deserves. With a P12.9-billion public-private partnership (PPP) project on the horizon, the city stands on the brink of a transformation that could finally align its gateway with Davao’s aspirations as a rising regional center for trade, tourism, and investment.
But the choice of partner matters. Unlike other privatized airports in the country such as NAIA and Laguindingan, which were handed to conglomerates like San Miguel Corporation and Aboitiz—giants in their own right but not primarily airport operators—Davao has a chance to do things differently. This time, the government must seize the opportunity to bring in a true global expert: Singapore’s Changi Airport Group.
Changi is not just an airport operator. It is the airport operator. Its flagship, Singapore Changi Airport, has just reclaimed the title of World’s Best Airport at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards—its 13th win. It has consistently set global benchmarks in efficiency, passenger experience, dining, retail, and even architecture. Its Jewel Changi Airport complex, with its iconic indoor waterfall and retail-leisure integration, demonstrates how airports can go beyond mere terminals to become destinations in themselves.
Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte voiced what many Dabawenyos and Mindanawons quietly hope: let it be Changi. His reasoning is straightforward—airports should be run by those who specialize in airports. This is where Davao must not settle for less.
The stakes are high. Before the pandemic, DIA served over four million passengers annually. With the right partner, that number could double in the next decade, drawing more international carriers, boosting Mindanao’s agricultural exports, and creating new opportunities in tourism and the BPO sector. The government’s own projections foresee thousands of jobs generated by construction alone, with multiplier effects across industries once the upgrades are complete.
Yes, proposals from respected local conglomerates Filinvest and Gokongwei are also on the table. But while they bring resources and management experience, only Changi offers a proven global track record of transforming airports into world-class hubs. We need not experiment—there is already a model that works.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon is correct: it is about time Davao joined the ranks of airports operated by the private sector. But more than just privatization, what Davao needs is professionalization—management by those who live and breathe aviation excellence. Changi already proved its mettle at Clark International Airport, which it helped modernize into one of the most beautiful airports in the world. Imagine what it could do for Davao.
This is not simply about passenger comfort. A world-class airport is a statement to the world that Mindanao is open for business, ready for investment, and serious about its future. It is a catalyst for growth, a gateway for ideas and goods, and a symbol of progress.
The government has the rare chance to get this right. It can either hand DIA to groups whose strength lies elsewhere—or entrust it to an operator whose very name is synonymous with airport excellence.
For Davao, and for Mindanao, the choice is clear: Changi Airport Group must lead the way.