The DMIA Terminal I Expansion Project was completed in April 2008. The new terminal has a total passenger capacity of 2 million annually, paving the way for for the espansion.

Under the DMIA Gateway Project, additional runways, auxiliary structures and other facilities are now being put in the pipeline. The Terminal 2 extension project is now undergoing bidding and the SCAD Council is again at the forefront in monitoring the process.

The DMIA is now capable of handling even the world’s largest wide-bodied aircraft, as evidenced by the recent landing of the Airbus A-380. Airport security is also being improved to post-9/11 standards.

In recognition of its continuing improvement in facilities and services, the young DMIA has been awarded the Frost and Sullivan’s "2008 Airport of the Year" for airports servicing 15 million passengers annually, and has been one of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel’s ten recipients of the "First Annual Gawad Pampublikong Korporasyon Award."

In its citation, Frost and Sullivan said, “From humble beginnings of serving only charter flights, the recipient’s recent growth has been nothing short of remarkable. It has positioned itself to become the future primary airport serving the surrounding major cities. The recipient’s performance has raised its profile amongst the industry and has created a strong platform for its expansion plans towards the coming years.”

Meanwhile, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) said that “the various upgrading works at DMIA has resulted in increased passenger volume or arrivals and additional commercial flights using DMIA, with its expanded passenger terminal and upgraded airport facilities.” Furthermore, “the growth of DMIA is phenomenal and the presence of budget airlines at DMIA had been beneficial to Filipino travelers. Families can now visit their relatives overseas as often as they want, easing the social cost of long separation because of OFWs’ jobs abroad... OFWs headed overseas no longer have to travel all the way to Manila to catch their flights because DMIA is right at their doorstep. Cheap fares also allow our beloved OFWs to go home as often as they want.”

DMIA is increasing its capacity to keep up with the continuing growth in passenger volume. Most OFWs from nearby Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Bangkok, Macau and Hong Kong now prefer the DMIA because of the budget airlines, resulting in a 3,500% passenger traffic increase from 2003.