22 local and international airlines to operate at Terminal 2 by July 1

CEBU, Philippines — At least 22 local and foreign airlines will start operating at the Terminal 2 of Mactan-Cebu International Airport starting Sunday, July 1.

Airport operator GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp (GMCAC) announced all international flights will use the T2.

MCIA T2 will commence commercial operations at 2 AM on Sunday.

While all domestic flights departing from and arriving in MCIA will use T1.

The airlines that will start operating in T2 include local carriers Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Philippines Air Asia and Pan Pacific Airlines.

Foreign airlines include Air Busan, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Emirates, EVA Air, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Korean Air, Lucky Air, Okay Airways, Royal Air, Scoot, Sichuan Airlines, Silk Air, T'way Air, Vanilla Air and Xiamen Air.

Meanwhile, carriers operating in T1 include Air Juan, AirSWIFT, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, PAL Express, Philippine Airlines and Philippines Air Asia.

On Thursday, Cebu Pacific Air announced it will begin operating its international flights to and from Cebu from the MCIA T2.

Cebu Pacific is the largest carrier operating at MCIA with 385 flights weekly.

The new MCIA T2 will boost the airport's passenger capacity to at least 12.5 million passengers per annum.

In an earlier interview, Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) president Carlo Suarez said the new airport terminal will make tourism even more a very significant driver for Cebu's economic future.

He expects more international flights from Cebu as the modern terminal is seen lure more airlines to fly from the county's second busiest air hub.

He also projected an increase in tourist arrivals not just this year but also in years to come.

"Prospects are very positive," he said.

The P17.5-billion MCIA T2, touted as the world's first resort airport, was inaugurated on June 7 by President Duterte.

The 65,500-square meter terminal is designed by Hong Kong-based Integrated Design Associates (IDA) together with local designers Budji Layug, Royal Pinda and Cebuano Kenneth Cobonpue.

Last June 2017, GMCAC submitted a P208-billion unsolicited proposal for MCIA's 50-year development.

To date, MCIA is serving 32 domestic and 22 international destinations, with eight local and 17 international airline partners.

Cebu's airport expansion is seen to lure more airlines to mount flights from the country’s second busiest airport.

Cebu is continuously promoted as an alternative international gateway to the Philippines, given its strategic geographical location and proximity to tourist destinations in southern Philippines.