Mactan Airport T2 to start operations on July 1
MANILA, Philippines — The operator of Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is ready to open the new terminal for commercial operations by July 1, as it implements the operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) program for all facilities and processes.
“The most critical planning aspect towards the opening is the testing of Terminal 2’s operational readiness and the alignment of various processes,” GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) chief executive adviser Andrew Harrison said Thursday.
“We need to ensure, through the ORAT program, that all facilities and processes are ready for commercial operations in July,” he added.
GMCAC started the ORAT program in November through the conduct of familiarization training and walk-throughs around the new terminal for airport employees.
Implementation of the program involves intensive testing of airport facilities, processes and policies.
Information technology, airport systems and manpower readiness are also being assessed.
In addition, trials are conducted to check if standard operating procedures meet the requirements of airlines, immigration, customs, quarantine and other airport regulatory bodies.
GMCAC recruited over 600 volunteers through the MCIA Facebook page to be part of the simulation sessions.
During the simulation sessions, volunteers played the role of passengers going through regular airport processes or other unique scenarios and provided feedback.
Earlier this month, President Duterte led the inauguration of the MCIA Terminal 2, a world-class facility and resort gateway to cater to international flights to and from Cebu.
Low cost carrier Philippines AirAsia Inc. had earlier announced it would move international flights to and from Cebu to the new terminal by July 1.
At present, Philippines AirAsia operates flights from Cebu to international points such as Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Singapore, Taipei in Taiwan, Incheon (Seoul) in South Korea, as well as Shenzhen and Hangzhou in China.
With the new terminal which covers 65,000 square meters, MCIA is expected to increase passenger capacity to 12.5 million per year from 4.5 million at present.
GMCAC composed of Megawide Construction Corp. and GMR Infrastructure Ltd. of India built Terminal 2 as part of the concession agreement for the development of MCIA.
The group took over the operations of MCIA in November 2014.
