New Mactan–Cebu International Airport Construction Updates

The GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), the private entity in-charge with the overall operation and management of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, has released to us the latest updates regarding the ongoing repairs and developments of the subject facility.

The latest runway closure was done last 11 August 2017 where domestic and international flights were cancelled but were all agreed to by the affected commercial airlines beforehand. In a statement, GMCAC said that these initiatives are all anchored on its target of 10-million passenger arrivals by the end of 2017 or a 12% jump from last year.

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Terminal 1 Updates

To further develop the ambience of Terminal 1, there are now more retail and dining selections that come from both international and local brands. New seats were also installed to offer additional comfort to its travelling passengers. In addition, existing washrooms were expanded and refurbished to mirror those found in hotels.

And to further enhance customer service, a few more facilities were added:

• premium lounge at the International Departures
• a hundred new Flight Information Display monitors
• more ATM machines
• mobile charging stations
• water refilling station inside the boarding gates
• fun and exciting in-terminal activities (like Sinulog, Valentine’s Day, Summer Festival, Halloween and Christmas)
• Cebu Connect Transfer Facility Desk (a transfer and early check-in facility that allows passengers with connecting flights to easily drop their baggage for check-in and have their boarding passes printed out)

Terminal 2 Updates

The construction of a new world-class Passenger Terminal Building or MCIA Terminal 2 is already in full swing and is meant to drive further growth in terms of passenger traffic. It is said to be fully operational by June 2018, which is projected to increase the Cebu airport passenger capacity to 12.5 million.

The distinct characteristic of the new terminal, which part of the core designers are from Hong Kong, is its dynamic elegance and lightness of the roof. In details, the following are its highlights:

• 48 check-in counters that are expandable to 72
• provisions for seven (7) passenger boarding bridges, which can be expanded to 12 boarding bridges serving wide and narrow body air crafts
• it will also have 12 escalators and 15 elevators to facilitate the easy movement of passengers, especially for persons with disabilities (PWDs)
• a car parking facility will be constructed that can accommodate 550 cars and expandable to 750 cars as needed
• a two-level forecourt that segregates both the Arrivals and Departures area that is fully integrated with landside development

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An insider from GMCAC has exclusively disclosed to us that another runway closure is to take place very soon—not to inconvenience the passengers and to cancel already booked flights, but to achieve the long-term goal of service betterment for travellers. In fact, it is a precautionary measure which must be taken to ensure that the best possible safety is given to both the passengers and the stakeholders, claimed GMCAC.