Gensan International Airport

PROJECT BRIEF FOR PROPOSED GENSAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Proposed Gensan International Airport
Location: 1,500 hectares adjacent to existing airport, General Santos City, Philippines
Conceptual Design: Architect Hermenegildo C. Mercado
Investment: USD 20 Billion
Construction Timeline: 3 Years
Design Theme: Lotus-Inspired, Smart, Resilient, Green
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1. Executive Summary
The Gensan International Airport is a transformative aviation gateway poised to establish General Santos as a regional air, rail, and logistics hub. The airport spans 1,500 hectares, featuring two world-class runways, a lotus-shaped terminal complex, and cutting-edge smart systems underpinned by 6G connectivity. Designed for global excellence in sustainability, passenger experience, and resilience, this USD 20 billion investment will be completed in 3 years.
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2. Site & Location Analysis
• Land Area: 1,500 hectares flat, low-seismic zone
• Proximity: Adjacent to existing airport; direct access to urban core
• Connectivity: Integrated with national highways, future high-speed rail, and metro rail links
• Topography & Climate: Flat land, coastal breeze, ideal for runway alignment and natural ventilation
3. Architectural Design Concept
• Terminal Form: Circular lotus-shaped main terminal with 3 radiating “flying saucer” satellite terminals
• Structural Features: Soaring vaulted ceilings, sphere-shaped column supports, expansive column-free interiors
• Navigation Logic: Radial layout maximizes visual orientation; maximum 600 m walking distance
4. Smart Systems Integration
• 6G Infrastructure: Real-time cloud connectivity, ultra-fast data throughput
• Biometric Flow: Facial recognition, RFID baggage tracking
• Passenger Services: Robot guides, dynamic wayfinding, smart lounges
• Security: AI surveillance, threat detection, autonomous security patrols
• Self-service: Kiosks for check-in, bag drop, custom
5. Sustainability & Resilience
• Green Building Features:
o Photovoltaic roof panels (10 MW solar generation)
o Rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing & landscaping
o Ground-source heat pumps and natural ventilation
o Intelligent lighting & HVAC controls
• Seismic Design: Seismic base isolation for Magnitude-8 resilience
• Certifications Target: LEED Platinum / BERDE 5-Star
6. Economic Impact Analysis
• Direct Jobs: 100,000 (construction, operations, logistics, retail)
• Indirect Jobs: 250,000 (tourism, supply chain, services)
• Tourism Boost: Up to 15 million annual passenger capacity upon full operation
• Catalyst: Unlocks new economic zones in South Central Mindanao and BARMM
7. Total Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)

Category Estimated Cost (USD Billion) % of CAPEX
A. Core Construction & Civil Works
– Terminal Complex (Main 3 Satellites) 5.50 27.5%
– Runways, Taxiways, Aprons 2.30 11.5%
– Support Facilities (ATC, MRO Hangars, Cargo) 0.95 4.8%
– Roadworks, Parking, Interchanges 1.60 8.0%
– Metro High-Speed Rail Integration 2.80 14.0%
Subtotal – Hard Infrastructure 13.15 65.8%

B. Sustainability & Utilities
– 10 MW Solar PV System 0.60 3.0%
– Water, Waste, HVAC, Energy Systems 0.50 2.5%
Subtotal – Green & Utility Systems 1.10 5.5%

C. Soft Costs & Professional Services
– Architectural & Engineering Design Fees (5–6%) 1.00 5.0%
– Project Management, Consultancy 0.60 3.0%
– Feasibility, Environmental & Social Impact Studies 0.10 0.5%
– Legal, Permitting, Government Fees 0.20 1.0%
– Insurance & Bonds 0.25 1.25%
Subtotal – Professional & Regulatory Costs 2.15 10.75%

D. Financial & Contingency Costs
– Contractor’s Profit (10% avg. margin) 1.30 6.5%
– Contingency & Escalation Allowance (10–12%) 2.30 11.5%
Subtotal – Profit & Contingency 3.60 18.0%

TOTAL PROJECT CAPEX 20.00 100%

8. Operating Expenditures (OPEX)
Annual OPEX (Year 1 of Operations):Total: USD 800 million/year

Category Estimated Annual Cost (USD)
Staff, Maintenance, Security $300M
Utilities (Energy, Water) $120M
Rail/Metro Operations Share $100M
IT Systems & Software $80M
Admin, Insurance, Overheads $200M
9. Revenue Forecast
• Annual Revenue (Year 3 onward): USD 2.4 Billion
o Aviation Fees: $900M
o Retail, Concessions & Parking: $600M
o Logistics & Cargo: $500M
o Rail-Metro Terminal Operations: $400M
10. Financial Metrics
• Payback Period: 10–12 years
• IRR: 13–15%
• EBITDA Margin: 66.7%
• Break-even Passenger Volume: ~8M/year

11. Conclusion & Recommendations
The Proposed Gensan International Airport represents more than an aviation facility — it is a strategic gateway for Mindanao and Southeast Asia, conceptually-designed to global standards by Architect Hermenegildo C. Mercado. With its lotus-inspired architecture, dual-runway capacity, and integrated multimodal transport hub, the project seamlessly blends iconic design, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology.
This USD 20 billion investment is not only financially viable but also a nation-building catalyst. By combining smart systems (6G connectivity, biometrics, robotics) with resilient green infrastructure (solar, rainwater, seismic isolation), the airport positions itself as a benchmark for 21st-century aviation.

Strategic Value Proposition
Regional Catalyst – Positions Gensan as the gateway to BARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Indonesia–PNG–Australia routes.
Passenger Growth – Initial 15 million annual passenger capacity, scalable to 20M .
Logistics Hub – Air cargo & freight integration with Mindanao’s agro-industrial base and fishing industry.
Smart & Sustainable – LEED/BERDE-compliant green airport with energy self-sufficiency.
Economic Engine – 350,000 jobs, tourism uplift, and regional trade acceleration
Recommendations:
1. Government Endorsement & PPP Structuring – Position as a flagship public–private partnership (PPP) under DOTr/CAAP with fast-track approvals.
2. Investor Syndicate Formation – Combine sovereign funds, institutional investors, and infrastructure developers for shared risk and returns.
3. Phased Development Strategy – Phase 1 terminal 1 runway operational within 30 months to capture early revenues while Phase 2 completes.
4. Sustainability Financing – Issue green bonds and pursue ADB/AIIB/World Bank climate financing for renewable and resilience components.
5. Anchor Airline Partnerships – Secure commitments from regional and global carriers to guarantee baseline traffic.
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Investor Incentives:
• High-Impact ROI – With IRR of 13–15%, the project outperforms many global infrastructure benchmarks.
• First-Mover Advantage – No comparable aviation hub exists in Southern Philippines with integrated HSR/Metro connectivity.
• Sustainable Legacy – A landmark that combines architecture, culture, and resilience, branding Mindanao on the global stage.
• Nation-Building Role – Investors align with a transformative project that accelerates regional development an

Strategic Value Proposition
Regional Catalyst – Positions Gensan as the gateway to BARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Indonesia–PNG–Australia routes.
Passenger Growth – Initial 15 million annual passenger capacity, scalable to 20M .
Logistics Hub – Air cargo & freight integration with Mindanao’s agro-industrial base and fishing industry.
Smart & Sustainable – LEED/BERDE-compliant green airport with energy self-sufficiency.
Economic Engine – 350,000 jobs, tourism uplift, and regional trade acceleration