CEBU, Philippines - The GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) is implementing a new traffic flow at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport arrivals area effective 5 a.m. today, August 14.
GMCAC announced that parking at the arrivals area roadway is now limited to five minutes per vehicle. This, according to a GMCAC statement, is to enhance security at the area.
“The decision by GMCAC has been taken from security point of view, to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the arrivals area. Thus, beginning today, the time to pick up arriving passengers will be limited to only five minutes and drivers have to stay inside the vehicles during that period,” the statement said.
The arrival and departure area roadways are primarily assigned as the airport’s loading and unloading area for passenger pick-up and drop-off, respectively, and are designated as “No Parking” zones.
Citing security considerations, as well as the special precautionary measures to be taken for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, the Intelligence Community and the Anti-Terrorism Task Force of the Philippines strongly advised that there should not be any vehicle parking in the arrival area.
“We welcome the guidance of the security and intelligence committee, which is geared towards making MCIA a safer airport for all users,” said GMCAC chief executive adviser Andrew Harrison.
Among the changes that will take effect today include relocation of the Yellow Taxis and Rent-A-Cars duly registered and accredited with MCIA to Lane 1, the roadway lane closer to the arrival area.
For pick-up via private vehicles, if no space is available in Lane 1, Lane 5 near the ramps leading to departures will be used. Lanes 2 to 4 will now be used for free movement of vehicles.
There will be no changes for passengers accessing shuttles and buses that are duly registered and accredited with the airport. (FREEMAN)