In a direct move to enhance passenger experience and modernize gateway facilities, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have successfully installed three new industrial-scale chillers at the Davao International Airport (DIA) arrival area.
The upgrade follows a mandate from DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez, who prioritized the cooling system overhaul during a terminal inspection in October 2024. After observing rising temperatures in the terminal caused by a malfunction in the aging cooling units, Secretary Lopez ordered an immediate increase in air conditioning capacity to ensure a seamless and comfortable environment for travelers.
A key component of this installation is the transition toward a “redundancy” model. Secretary Lopez emphasized that the airport must maintain reserve cooling capacity to prevent future service interruptions.
“There should always be reserve chillers standing by,” Secretary Lopez stated. “If one unit requires maintenance or breaks down, others must be ready to pick up the load immediately so that passengers never have to endure uncomfortable heat.”
The project is part of a broader expansion and rehabilitation of the DIA Passenger Terminal Building. It aligns with President Marcos’s administration directive to elevate the standards of Philippine airports, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle growing passenger volumes.
Key highlights of the upgrade include:
Three New High-Capacity Chillers: Specifically allocated to handle the heavy tropical heat load of the arrival area.
Increased Airflow Efficiency: Integrated as part of the ongoing terminal building rehabilitation.
Future-Proofing: Providing a buffer for the airport’s continuous expansion plans.
“These three new chillers are a significant boost to the air conditioning capacity of Davao International Airport,” Secretary Lopez added. “Our focus remains on the President’s directive: to ensure that travel across all our national airports is smoother, more efficient, and, above all, comfortable for every passenger.”
The DOTr and CAAP continue to evaluate other regional airports for similar infrastructure interventions to modernize the country’s aviation hubs.
