MCIA operator works on more direct flights

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu will soon have direct connectivity to Qatar in Middle East, Australia and Europe.

GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp (GMCAC), private operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, is now pursuing to directly connect Cebu to these destinations, said chief executive advisor Andrew Acquaah Harrison.

Harrison said the Qatar Airways is expected to launch its direct flight from Cebu to Doha, Qatar within the next three months.

The airline had announced that Cebu is among the 15 new destinations it is opening between 2018 and 2019.

"We're also working on connectivity to Brisbane, Australia," Harrison said during the recent PICPA Cebu Summit.

Moreover, the company is also working to connect Cebu to two European routes with Turkish Airlines and Finnair.

"Turkish Airlines is connected to more cities so that would give us a global reach," he pointed out.

Harrison was also optimistic Philippine Airlines will soon relaunch its direct flight from Cebu to Los Angeles once the flag carrier takes in fuel efficient new aircraft suited for this long-haul route.

In Asia, Harrison said five more routes to China from Cebu will be launch within the next 7-8 months.

He said a total of nine routes to China had been opened from Cebu in the last 11 months.

China has been the fastest growing tourist market for Cebu.

Looking ahead, Harrison is optimistic that Mactan Airport will significantly grow its international traffic.

He noted that when GMR-Megawide took over the airport in 2014, international passenger traffic only at 1.5 million and that has doubled to 3.2 million today.

The new MCIA Terminal 2 is expected to boost the airport's passenger capacity to at least 12.5 million passengers per annum.

More international flights from Cebu are seen to open as the modern terminal is seen lure more airlines to fly from the county's second busiest air hub

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

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. (FREEMAN)