LAGUINDINGAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL — Laguindingan International Airport (LIA), the country’s tenth busiest gateway and operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) Airports, conducted its biennial full-scale emergency simulation exercise, dubbed “AERON2026,” on April 17, 2026, reaffirming LIA’s commitment to safety and operational excellence.
AERON, which stands for Airport Emergency Response Operations Network, symbolizes strength, unity, and coordination in ensuring the safety of the traveling public.
This comprehensive exercise is held every two years to comply with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) requirements and serves as a critical stress test evaluating the LIA’s response capabilities of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS), evaluating medical rescue and recovery teams, and ensuring the adequacy of the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP).
The Simulation Scenario
AERON2026, focusing on Emergency Plan (EMPLAN) No. 1 – Aircraft Accident On-Airport, simulated a critical incident involving a mock-up Airbus A321-NEO. The drill tested the coordinated response of both primary airport responders and secondary responders from various government units and private sectors under a Mutual Aid Emergency Agreement (MAEA) in the event of an aircraft hard landing.
“Safety is not a static goal but a continuous practice,” said Engr. Ryan Ermac, General Manager of Laguindingan International Airport. “By conducting this exercise every two years, we refine our communication channels and response times according to the changing landscape and employ best practices learned from our day-to-day operations. This ensures the preparedness of our team and our partners and acts as a single, seamless unit to save lives.”
Engr. Job B. De Jesus, Area Manager for Area 10 of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), emphasized the importance of this joint effort: “The success of AERON2026 is a testament to the strong synergy between the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and our private sector partners. These simulations are vital in ensuring that our safety protocols are not just compliant, but are continuously evolving to meet global standards. When we work as a unified front, we strengthen the integrity of our aviation industry and ensure the safety of every passenger passing through Laguindingan.”
Regular flight operations remained unaffected at LIA during the entire duration of the simulation exercise. Designated areas for the exercise, such as the General Aviation Area (Staging) and Arrival Hall Area (Treatment), were selected to ensure minimal disruption to passengers.
A Unified Standard of Excellence
AERON2026 closed with a review and recommendations from airline partners, CAAP, Philippine Coast Guard Region 10, Office of Civil Defense Region 10, Bureau of Fire Protection Region 10, the Municipal government of Laguindingan, and the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental. This collaborative model serves as a blueprint for how private-public synergy can elevate airport standards, transforming them into resilient economic engines.
By fostering this culture of preparedness alongside our regional partners, LIA ensures that its positive transformations contribute to a unified and high-quality travel experience across the Philippines. This proactive approach allows LIA to maintain its status as a secure and reliable gateway, proving that while disasters cannot always be predicted, the airport remains steadfastly prepared.
