2nd parallel runway begins operations

CEBU, Philippines —  The Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) officially commenced operations of its second parallel runway yesterday, marking another major achievement in Philippine aviation infrastructure and a strategic move to reinforce uninterrupted airport services amid urgent repairs on its main runway.

The 2,560-meter runway received its first flights early yesterday morning—flight 7C2177 from Incheon at 3:34 a.m., followed by flight 5J5108 to Kansai at 3:42 a.m.—signaling the full activation of the country's first parallel runway system, the MCIAA disclosed.

This development comes just five days after the primary runway underwent a sudden closure due to immediate structural repair needs, leading to operational delays and flight diversions.

The unexpected shutdown was prompted by safety-critical assessments, requiring temporary suspension of use to prevent risks to aircraft and passengers.

Restoration efforts in the primary runway is projected to span approximately one year.

With this, the second runway now plays a pivotal role in sustaining MCIA’s daily flight operations, especially during maintenance periods or emergency circumstances.

Its added infrastructure—a new 237-meter perpendicular taxiway with a width of 23 meters—further boosts capacity and agility, positioning Cebu as a resilient and forward-thinking aviation gateway.

“The opening today of the second parallel runway is expected to significantly improve airside capacity, reduce aircraft holding times, and support future growth in passenger and cargo traffic,” Neri said.

The launch is not only timely in terms of operational need but also symbolic, as MCIAA approaches its 35th anniversary on July 31.

Through a public advisory issued yesterday, the authority affirmed its commitment to transparency and service excellence, thanking passengers and stakeholders for their continued support.

With its new dual-runway system, MCIA is stepping into a future of enhanced efficiency, increased traffic throughput, and uninterrupted service—setting a new benchmark for world-class airports in the Philippines and across the region. (CEBU NEWS)