MANILA — The Davao International Airport in Davao City was expected to resume normal flight operations Thursday after authorities completed "substantial" repairs on its runway ahead of schedule, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said Wednesday.

The Notice to Airmen issued for the rehabilitation is expected to be lifted on Thursday, May 9, or once all remaining concerns are addressed, the CAAP said, noting that this is ahead of the original target date of May 31.

The remaining works on the runway were completed on May 7, CAAP's Area Center 11 reported. But some portions of the runway still needed "minor rectifications" that will be done during the daytime when there are no flights, said CAAP Area Center Manager Rex Obcena.

Since April 8, the Davao airport's runway has been closed for 4 hours each day to speed up the repair efforts.

The repairs to the 1,200-square-meter affected area involve the removal of damaged asphalt pavement, application of emulsified asphalt tack coat, laying of asphalt mixture, and repainting of runway markings.