MCIAA eyes baggage handling upgrade

CEBU, Philippines - Less than a month after new air-conditioning chillers were put in place, the Mactan- Cebu International Airport Authority is now eyeing on the upgrading of its baggage handling system.

MCIAA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete said that they are looking forward on uplifting the baggage handling system, which like other equipment and facilities in the airport, already needs to be upgraded since it has reached its optimum life in operating.

The baggage handling system is the system used in all airports where bags are transported from check-in counters to the planes and the unloading from the planes to the correct conveyors. It also plays an important role in bag tracking and counting and volume regulation to prevent overloading.

Villarete said that the implementation and completion of the new baggage handling system is one of his major goals for the coming year as part of the over-all plan to expand and uplift the whole airport.

He explained that back in 1995, the Mactan- Cebu airport was tagged as one of the best airport in the country.

“It was very modern, very sleek. It was the pride of Cebu.”

But Villarete said that after 17 years, there are already better terminals due to top equipment technologies that they have secured.

He explained that since they have equipment that should have been replaced two to five years ago, it becomes more challenging when something breaks down one after the other.

But he said that they are working on this and have already made huge advances in replacing and upgrading their equipment. “We hope we can continue this in the coming years”

Last month, two water-cooled chillers were inaugurated in the MCIAA. Villarete said that the schedule for the replacement of the old chillers was even overdue since it needed to be done two years ago. Some of the old chillers finally broke down which displeased passengers who felt the uneasy warmth inside the vicinity.

The MCIAA is also set to expand given the increasing number of passenger arrivals every year which have reached to a limit.

In 2010, passenger arrivals for both domestic and international flights were at 5.4 million. It has reached to 6.2 million last year. For this year, the count has reached to 7 million, said Villarete. But he explained that the airport is still sitting at a 4.5 million capacity designed facility.

“Overcrowded na kaayo and the increase will still continue in the next eight to ten years.” 

Expansions are proposed to start next year for the P5.8 billion worth expansion that can extend the capacity of the airport to another 3.8 million.

Villarete said though that it would take time to complete their plans since a process needs to be followed. “I do not believe in cutting corners just to have things done faster. In the long run, it would jeopardize the work in hand.” But he said that they are doing their best to kick off with the upgrading, especially those that needs utmost priority. — (FREEMAN)