MCIA sees more passengers

CEBU, Philippines — The Mactan-Cebu International Airport has noted a summer surge in passenger numbers based on the passenger traffic at MCIA last month as compared to the same period of time last year.

Both domestic and international passenger numbers sustained a double-digit growth for the month of April according to MCIA.

Passengers recorded in April 2024 are at 926,025 as against 787,781 passengers in April 2023. The figures last month are mostly domestic with 696,698 and 229,327 international passengers.

Comparing to data for the said period of time last year, it shows 18% passenger growth and 10% seat capacity growth.

A 14% increase in air traffic movement was noted as well out of the 20 airlines (five local and 15 foreign) going in 40 destinations (28 domestic and 12 international).

MCIA expects the numbers to increase in the coming months with new flights.

The other day, MCIA announced the resumption of direct flights from Cebu to Shanghai and Guangzhou through China Southern Airlines. The direct flights from Cebu to Shanghai begin July 2 and to Guangzhou beginning July 13.

Last May 1 Sunlight Air also had its inaugural flight from Cebu to Boracay. They will fly twice weekly.

MCIA also recently became the first airport in the Philippines to receive the prestigious Platinum Award at the Green Airports Recognition 2024 for being among the 12 exceptional airports across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions for their groundbreaking sustainability efforts.

MCIA received the award during the Airports Council International World Annual General Assembly, Conference, and Exhibition last May 21 to 23 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Under the 8-15 million passenger airport category, MCIA bested Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport (gold) and Japan’s Chubu Centrair International Airport (silver).

Aboitiz GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. and Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority also raised the bar for accessible travel with its PWD-friendly restrooms feature sliding doors in compliance with the Accessibility Law, adhering to the standards and dimensions for vanities, grab bars, and water closet heights. — (FREEMAN)