The Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) runway is scheduled for rehabilitation in September. /CDN file photo
Airlines told to reschedule flights
Passengers are advised to plan their travels ahead with the scheduled nighttime closure of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) runway in September to facilitate asphalt overlay.
Mary Ann Dimabayao, public information officer of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), said that the runway rehab will ensure the safety of all airport users.
The airport runway last underwent rehabilitation in 2006, she said.
“Everyday, the runway is being evaluated based on its load. It has been determined by our operations and engineering people that it’s time to improve the runway,” Dimabayao said in a phone interview with Cebu Daily News.
With two months left before the start of the runway rehab, Dimabayao said they are calling a series of meetings with airlines to make sure that no flight leaves or lands at the MCIA while asphalting work is ongoing.
“Airlines will have to reschedule their flights that will be affected (by the runway rehabilitation). This is why we will be having a series of meetings with them,” Dimabayao said.
Dimabayao said that the MCIAA has set aside a P240 million budget for the asphalt overlay of the 3,000 meter long and 30 meters wide runway.
But before this can be done, there is a need to completely close the runway for at least eight hours a day, from midnight to 8 a.m. of the next day and for a period of 14 days in September.
Dimabayao said they are about to publish their invitation for contractors to place their bids on the MCIA runway rehabilitation project.
GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC), the private operator of the MCIA’s Terminal 1 and the newly opened Terminal 2, is yet receive details of the rehabilitation project from MCIAA.
Andrew Harrison, GMCAC chief executive adviser, said they are getting involved because any work to be undertaken on the runway is part of the responsibilities of MCIAA, their technical team and their contractors.
“These runway repairs are essential works and are precautionary in nature, and are designed to ensure that the best possible level of safety is afforded to airlines, passengers, and other airport stakeholders,” he said.
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