LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental – A Subic Bay-based flying school and Mindanao’s oldest university have partnered to open a flying school in Northern Mindanao at the Laguindingan Airport in this province.
Laminar Aviation, Inc., a professional flight training organization based in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier Ateneo), a top performing university in Asia per the 2025 QS University Rankings, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 21, 2024, at the Laminar Aviation Pilot Training Center in Laguindingan International Airport, Misamis Oriental. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from both parties
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to foster collaboration in academic programs, training initiatives, and other mutually beneficial projects_ University President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, represented Xavier Ateneo, while LAI Founder Capt. Carlo G Aclan signed on behalf of LAI.
“Laminar and Xavier share the same vision and passion to form men and women of competence and commitment to be of service to the global community and the Filipino,” said Phidiza Dalugdog, general manager, Laminar Aviation. “We are targeting March for the launch of the Modular courses with XCELL department, August for the Baccalaureate courses.”
Fr Tan noted how the partnership aims to explore opportunities for joint academic and training activities that align with the principles of equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit. Both institutions are dedicated to creating joint programs while respecting each other’s independence, and working within their academic and financial limits.
Xavier University will handle ground schooling for the program with flight training to be conducted at the Laminar Aviation Pilot Training Center in Laguindingan.
“This momentous event underscores these organizations’ steadfast commitment to synergize and explore collaborative opportunities that can further the flight training industry in the region,” said Capt. Aclan. “Part of the potential projects being discovered are the launching of modular flight training programs, and baccalaureate Aviation Courses.”
Students will be offered a variety of enrollment options with modular programs, installment plans, night and online modular classes to maximize access for everyone.
The MOU serves as a framework for future cooperation, ensuring all activities will be negotiated, approved, and governed by separate agreements. XU and LAI aim to explore other ways to work together in the following areas: academic programs, research efforts, and other activities.
Laminar Aviation traces its beginnings to San Carlos, California, USA, in 2005, where it was originally known as Aclan Pro Air. In 2018, Capt. Carlo G. Aclan brought the venture to the Philippine shores, establishing a flying school that prioritizes safety and quality that aims to exceed industry standards.
Captain Carlo G. Aclan, founder and Accountable Manager of Laminar Aviation, is a CAAP and FAA-certified flight instructor with more than 24 years of experience in the aviation industry; 14 years in the airlines, and with over 10,000 hours of total flight time. Capt. Aclan is also a safety practitioner, having earned an Advanced Masters in Aviation Safety Management. He currently flies as an ATR captain for Cebu Pacific, Air and serves as the Head of Safety at CebGo.
Laminar Aviation was founded in 2005 by Carlo G. Aclan in San Carlos, California. The school moved to Hayward, California in 2008, and then to the Philippines in 2018.
As an approved training organization, Laminar Aviation provides training for private pilot license, commercial pilot license for single and multi-engine aircraft, instrument rating, flight instructor course for single and multi-engine aircraft, and airline transport pilot license.
With a range of pilot training programs, including onsite, online, and blended training, the school’s programs are designed to meet the standards of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Laminar Aviation’s training is conducted by CAAP-certified ground and flight instructors. The school aims to instill a culture of safety early in the training process, and provides a dedicated liaison officer to support students throughout their training.
To further bolster the quality of its training and graduates, Laminar Aviation will be installing a Redbird MCX flight simulator with dual controls that allows an instructor and student to perform maneuvers and simulate a real flight. The MCX provides a platform where crew training can be perfected. It should arrive in Cagayan de Oro in the next 3-4 months straight from the manufacturer in the US.
Fr. Tan said the collaboration marks a step forward in Xavier University’s commitment to innovative and holistic education.
“This program reflects our mission to not only achieve academic excellence but also to equip individuals for global competitiveness and social engagement,” Fr. Tan said.
According to Engr. Elpidio M. Paras, an aviation enthusiast who flew an ultralight aircraft from Lumbia Airport during the eighties, flying lessons were previously offered at Lumbia airport by a local group headed by the late Atty. Roy “Skyhawk” Tamparong during the 1980s, and later by another Davao-based flying school with a Bukidnon-based flying instructor in the early 2000s.
The aviation industry is a significant contributor to the Philippine economy, with air transportation accounting for over 95 percent of tourist arrivals to the country in the years prior to the pandemic. Following a slump in air travel demand, airlines in the Philippines have bounced back after experiencing losses.
The country’s flagship airline, the Philippine Airlines, generated revenue figures surpassing pre-pandemic values as it dominated international passenger traffic. Meanwhile, low-cost airline Cebu Pacific served the highest share of domestic passengers in the Philippines in 2023, which contributed to its revenue increase. Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia also reported revenue growth in 2022, although it remains lower than its pre-pandemic performance.
Meanwhile for domestic airfreight forwarders, AP Cargo Logistics Network Corporation held the majority of the market share at about 30 percent, followed by LBC Express. Among international players, Nippon Express Philippines Corporation had the highest volume of cargos carried in 2023. Although domestic trade is carried mostly by water transport, the majority of commodities traded through air were food and live animals in 2023.
There are currently 90 airports nationwide that can handle both domestic and international flights. The biggest is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also known as the Manila International Airport, which consists of four passenger terminals and another one in the pipeline. The airport serves as a hub for the major commercial airlines in the country. In 2022, about 31 million passengers were served in the NAIA airport terminals, most of them were traveling domestically.
Aside from NAIA, the other leading airports in the country are the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which serves the Central Visayas region, and the Clark International Airport, which serves Central Luzon and the Greater Manila area. Additional investments in the air transport sector in the Philippines are expected to continue to drive the sector’s growth in the coming years.
Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) has committed P12.75 billion for the expansion of Laguindingan Airport which will elevate the facility to world-class standards. The first phase of the project involves increasing the airport’s capacity to 3.9 million passengers a year, up from the current 1.6 million. Starting in 2026, its capacity is expected to further increase to 6.1 million passengers, depending on the attainment of key performance indicators (KPIs).
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