The Division of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the institution of the primary parallel runway on the Mactan-Cebu Worldwide Airport (MCIA), one of many nation’s main gateways situated within the province of Cebu.
In 2024, the MCIA admitted a complete of 11,315,225 passengers, a progress of 13 p.c in comparison with 2023 knowledge. Of the entire, 8,506,299 had been home passengers whereas 2,808,926 had been worldwide passengers.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco mentioned the expanded MCIA runway would “strengthen Cebu’s place as a high vacationer vacation spot, cementing its standing as a premier gateway to the islands of Visayas and Mindanao, and increase tourism in Central Visayas by enhancing accessibility for worldwide and home guests”
An expanded runway is essential for enhancing aviation security, accommodating bigger plane, and enhancing airport operational effectivity. It supplies important area for secure takeoffs and landings, particularly beneath hostile climate situations, thereby decreasing the danger of accidents.
“It is a main win for Philippine tourism with such an elevation of tourism infrastructure beneath the Marcos Administration. Rising flight frequencies and passenger capability as much as 18 million on the Mactan-Cebu Worldwide Airport by the parallel runway advantages all stakeholders within the aviation and tourism sectors, with added accessibility to our island locations in Cebu, the Visayas and Mindanao. This inflow wouldn’t solely bolster the native economic system but in addition promote cultural trade and foster larger international connectivity. We’re grateful for this parallel runway at MCIA which might considerably enhance the general journey expertise whereas driving progress and sustainability within the aviation and tourism industries,” mentioned the Tourism Chief.
“The brand new runway of the MCIA would additionally assist in Cebu’s potential to develop its tourism trade, particularly in dive tourism and within the conferences, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) whereby the province at the moment thrives. Extra importantly, this might assist Cebu’s main tourism occasions and festivals such because the Sinulog Competition,” added the tourism chief referring to the celebration of the Sto. Niño de Cebu that pulls hundreds of thousands of devotees and vacationers annually.
The Tourism Chief attended the inauguration of the MCIA’s first parallel runway led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. In his speech, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. famous “There’s something particular about Cebu. It’s a spot the place historical past and progress come collectively very gracefully, the place custom converges with innovation, and the place the grit and tenacity of its individuals shine brightly in each achievement.”
“This new runway on the Mactan-Cebu Worldwide Airport displays the very essence of Cebu: it’s dynamic, promising, and at all times able to tackle challenges. And simply as Cebu has been a middle of commerce and tourism, this parallel runway symbolizes the unrelenting drive to attach, and to develop, and to steer,” The President added.
Frasco famous that “This landmark challenge completely aligns with the Nationwide Tourism Improvement Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028, whereby two of its three key methods are connectivity and comfort. It should improve accessibility and assist enhance the general expertise of vacationers visiting our nation’s breathtaking websites and immersing in our wealthy
cultural experiences.”
In accordance with the Division of Transportation (DOTr), the inauguration of the primary parallel runway at Mactan-Cebu Worldwide Airport marks a serious milestone in Philippine aviation, enhancing air visitors effectivity and regional connectivity, and would lead to an elevated plane motion capability of 30 per hour to 40 per hour in addition to “lower the wear and tear and tear of the runways as two runways will now alternately be used.”
