Subway system, 2nd runway, terminal eyed for Cebu airport

CEBU CITY – Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) operator GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMAC) has informed the provincial government of its planned R209-billion development, including a subway system, a new runway, and terminal for the airport.

GMAC chief executive advisor Andrew Acquaah Harrison met with Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III to discuss GMAC’s R209billion plan and the firm’s offer for a 50-year contract extension.

Among the projects proposed by GMAC in its unsolicited 50-year master plan is for MCIA to become the first to have an underground railway system in the country.

The plan also includes the construction of a second runway, third terminal, and the management of airside facilities operation.

Based on the consortium’s study, the infrastructure improvements will increase MCIA’s capacity to handle passenger traffic.

According to Harrison, increasing MCIA’s capacity would make Cebu a viable gateway for foreign tourists coming to and from the Philippines.

“Located geographically at the center of the Philippines, Cebu could easily feed the needs of foreign tourists going to its neighboring provinces as well as Mindanao,” Harrison said.

With the new runway, Harrison said, international airline companies in Manila would be attracted to open direct flights from Cebu to the US, Europe and elsewhere.

GMAC won the contract in 2014 in a 25-year concession deal to operate the MCIA passenger terminal.

In a press statement, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said he looks forward for the realization of this project.

“I believe this will spur economic growth for Cebu,” he said.