Laguindingan International Airport (LIA) has been named Health and Safety Initiative of the Year – Philippines at the Travel Daily Media Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 – Asia. The award recognises the airport's data-driven approach to airfield safety, implemented by operator Aboitiz InfraCapital Laguindingan Airport Corporation (ALAC).
When ALAC assumed operations in April 2025, it inherited a facility with no historical safety performance data from the previous operator. To close that gap, the team built a digital hazard monitoring system using QR codes and Google Workspace tools, ensuring safety objectives were tracked and met without heavy capital outlay.
Zero-CAPEX digital hazard ecosystem
The initiative, dubbed the Zero-CAPEX Digital Hazard Ecosystem, allows LIA to collect, analyse, and act on safety information without investing in specialised enterprise software. Front-line staff can report hazards directly from their smartphones, using QR codes posted in operational areas such as airside staging zones and terminal breakrooms.
A centralised Google Sheets dashboard aggregates data from operational logbooks, voluntary reports, and routine physical inspections. Automated calculations standardise safety indicators relative to flight movement volume, giving management a clearer picture of risk dynamics over time. The system also tracks leading indicators to flag potential issues before they escalate into incidents.
During infrastructure repair works, the airport adjusted safety targets phase by phase, including a stricter permissible rate of foreign object debris (FOD) in the manoeuvring area. This flexibility allowed the monitoring system to align with real-world operational needs.
The results speak for themselves. Over the reporting period, LIA handled thousands of aircraft movements with zero runway incursions, runway excursions, or ground damage incidents. FOD rates dropped significantly, thanks to a combination of physical sweeping and digital tracking.
“The system’s feedback loop improves accountability,” said an ALAC spokesperson. “Individual reporters receive automated acknowledgements, and the wider airport community gets regular safety advisories.”
By avoiding enterprise software licences, the airport freed up resources for tangible airside safety measures. The approach demonstrates that structured processes, accessible digital tools, and frontline engagement can enhance risk management without a large budget.
The award highlights LIA’s resource-efficient safety assurance model, which is particularly relevant for regional airports seeking to upgrade safety management. It also adds to the growing list of Philippine airport achievements, following Mactan-Cebu’s airport experience win and Bohol-Panglao’s sustainability award.
The Travel Daily Media Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Asia is a premier programme honouring excellence across hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, and travel technology. This year’s winners also include Trip.Biz and Jewel Changi Airport.
