A proposed airport on a former US naval base in the Philippines near the entrance to Manila Bay is drawing fresh strategic attention after Washington agreed to fund a feasibility study, a move analysts say fits into US efforts to strengthen logistics, access and interoperability with the country in the South China Sea.

Experts said the proposed Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite could become more than a commercial aviation project because of its access to the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait, a critical corridor in any Taiwan-related contingency.

The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) said on Tuesday it would fund a feasibility study for the proposed airport “to serve the Philippines’ projected aviation needs and define strong security measures to protect direct flights to several major US aviation hubs”.

Under the plan, the USTDA will provide technical expertise, including air traffic forecasts, financial analyses and recommendations for advanced security screening.