Davide backs 2nd runway for Mactan-Cebu airport

Mactan-Cebu International Airport
MactanCebuAirport.com

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday declared his support for the construction of a second runway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport even as the airport authority is still studying the unsolicited proposal from GMR–Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) to takeover the runway and aviation services of MCIA.

Davide, who also sits as one of the board directors of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), told reporters in the Capitol yesterday that the second runway for the Mactan airport is needed to accommodate the increasing influx of tourists visiting Cebu.

“The proposal to construct a second runway has long been discussed, and it was one of the points raised during my last term as governor. … It’s time to have one,” added Davide.

He also said that the construction of another runway at MCIA will boost efficiency in airside operations with the rising number of flight routes to and from Cebu, which in turn contribute to the large number of tourist arrivals.

Data from the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas (DOT-7) showed that the number of tourist arrivals in the region has jumped from 4.6 million in 2015 to 5.95 million in 2016, accounting to a 29.17 percent increase.

Most of these tourists entered the country via Cebu, which accounted for 4.17 million of last year’s tourists arrivals, 1.88 million of whom were foreigners.

GMCAC, a private company, has been running the terminal operations of MCIA since 2014 while the MCIAA, the government sector, manages the runway and aviation functions.

Last June 28, GMCAC submitted an unsolicited proposal of a 50-year master plan to construct the second runway and build a third terminal in the MCIA projected to cost P208 billion.

In earlier reports, officers from GMCAC have raised concerns regarding the airport’s capacity.

MCIA was designed to receive 4.5 million passengers. However, published reports showed it had accommodated 8.9 million local and foreign passengers in 2016. This made the airport the second busiest gateway in the country, next to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila.

As of the moment, MCIA only has one functioning terminal. Its second terminal, which is still under construction by the GMCAC, is expected to be completed in June 2018.

Davide said he was also informed about GMCAC’s proposal to extend its contract to operate the airport’s terminal facilities from 25 to 50 years, but it is a matter that will have to be studied by MCIAA.

“I’m sure the GMCAC will be granted for a contract extension since it is part of the agreement they signed, but we will have to analyze this. We will discuss it, of course, and it needs to be presented before the MCIAA board,” the governor said.

GMCAC won the P17.52-billion contract last 2014 under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program, and the maintenance and operation of the airport were turned over to them.

GMCAC submitted to the MCIAA its request of contract extension last June 27.