NEW TERMINAL WORK ‘NOW BACK ON TRACK’
Less than 3 years after taking over terminal operations in Mactan airport, the GMR-Megawide consortium has proposed a long-term development plan for P208 billion that will include the construction of a second runway
GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) disclosed last Friday that construction of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 2 is on schedule for opening by June 2018.
GMCAC President Manuel Louie Ferrer told tourism stakeholders that construction of Terminal 2 is already 60 percent done and is on schedule for delivery a year from now, despite the six-month delay it encountered before.
Ferrer, during the Cebu Business Month (CBM) Tourism Summit, described the Terminal 2 as a gateway that Cebuanos will be more proud of, saying that it not only exudes “a resort-feel atmosphere” but will also showcase the unique hospitality that Cebuanos can offer guests.
“The new MCIA will celebrate the natural wonders of the province,” said Ferrer, who explained that while Terminal 2 will have a resort-inspired ambience, Terminal 1 will highlight Cebu’s impressive mountains.
GMCAC also unveiled last Friday the airport’s new tagline: from “Start here” to “Experience the warmth of Cebu and the island.”
Ferrer also promised tourism stakeholders that they will continue to go after new markets by seeking additional direct flights to Cebu, as well as strengthen its existing markets like China and Japan.
It will likewise continue its efforts to invite travelers from Australia and the United States, and to persuade airline players from Southeast Asia to make Cebu one of their hubs.
From just seven international destinations in 2014, MCIA is now connected to 17 international destinations. The number of domestic destinations grew from 22 to 26 in two years. The number of MCIA’s airline partners has also increased from 11 to 20 at present.
Terminal 2’s completion will increase overall passenger capacity at MCIA from 4.5 million passengers per annum (mppa) to 12.5 mppa.
Moreover, Ferrer said, GMCAC has submitted a P208-billion unsolicited proposal for the longterm development of MCIA.
A 50-year master plan submitted to the government involves the construction of a second runway, which would make MCIA the only Philippine airport with two independent parallel runways, capable of serving 50 mppa.
According to Ferrer, studies have determined that by 2038, air traffic will reach about 28 million passengers, which highlights the need to have a second runway to avoid congestion.
The GMR-Megawide consortium has also proposed to take over the airside facilities of MCIA from the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).
Ferrer said the project is being proposed to be undertaken in three phases: the rehabilitation of MCIA’s existing runway and taxiways; the construction of an additional full-length parallel taxiway that can act as an emergency runway; and the development of additional rapid exit taxiways and runway holding positions.
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the CBM Tourism Summit.