TIME TRAVEL 2: The Present "Three years is quite a long time but it certainly seemed so short."

MCIAA at 19

CEBU, Philippines - I can hardly believe that this is now the 4th time that I am celebrating an MCIAA Anniversary with the men and women of the organization who manage the HUB Airport for the Visayas and Mindanao. This time, we are doing it with a three-day Aviation Expo at the South Ramp. General Aviation Companies and Aircraft Owners are displaying about 14 small airplanes while the 2nd Air Division of the Air Force has put up their aircraft and hardware, side by side with civil aviation. Not only this, the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base has also opened its facility to the public during the expo. Their Aircraft Museum is now the site of the Christmas Bazaar.

This year’s theme is “Strengthening Linkages, Rising Above Challenges”. We have worked hard to unite all agencies and people in the airport towards one dream and a common effort to reach a goal. This is the reason why, despite the results of the global recession at the first half of the year, MCIA experienced 25 percent growth in total passengers. We may reach 4.6 million total passengers this year, overshooting the 4.5 million Capacity of the terminal.

By the end of November, MCIAA already reached the P1B gross revenue mark, something that we did only at the end of 2008. This comes at the right time because we are starting big projects this year up to the end of next year. A new Instrument Landing System will be installed raising us to a higher category of precision approaches. The present terminal will not only be modernized, but will be expanded, adding two more passenger lounges and two twin-Passenger Boarding Bridges, all these to accommodate 600,000 more passengers. The new and better equipped Fire Station will also soon be completed. Another aerodrome fire truck will be added to the present fleet. MCIAA is also embarking on a new generation terminal for the International Legacy Carriers. This NGT will have a capacity of 6 Million Passengers.

The First Boeing 777

I celebrated my 37th year as a pilot last November 25, and what fitting way than to see and tour PAL’s and our country’s first Boeing 777-300ER. As we are made aware, the 777 is the airliner with the biggest and most efficient turbofan engine in the world today. As such, it can take off from Manila and reach until Chicago and beyond, non-stop. I went up to the crew rest cabin upstairs and towards the rear, to the cabin crew rest on the second floor that has 8 beds. The business seats can go full recline into a bed.

We may see the PAL 777 when it comes to Cebu for a probing flight within this month, or even during the Aviation Expo.

Next week: The Future