Summertime: "Nothing ever happens that the Lord does not allow."

It is summertime! Three months have gone by since the start of 2010, and we continue to move on. Our family will never forget last February, as this was when our mother left us. We continue to hear her say, “Nothing ever happens that the Lord does not allow,” and this is true even with an organization like MCIAA.

Positive Growth

The International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) forecast growth to Year 2015 depicts a 6.1 percent growth in Passenger-Kilometers and 6.3 percent growth in Cargo-Kilometers for the Asia-Pacific, second only to the Middle East in the world. But for actual volume in both categories, Asia-Pacific has already overtaken North America and Europe and is now number one. Truly it is the Asia-Pacific century in aviation.

Here in the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, our January and February numbers showed a growth of 9 percent and 16 percent, respectively for passengers as compared to Year 2010; 36 percent and 55 percent, respectively, for cargo.

While the number of flights for international passengers continue to be in the 60s weekly, for the first time ever, we hit the 400 level and now have 405 domestic flights weekly at the Cebu Hub, serving 21 destinations.

PAL 777-300ER in Cebu

I saw PAL VP for Visayas and Mindanao Jun Pilapil’s text as I was presiding over a coordination conference last Thursday, “The 777 is coming to Cebu this afternoon. But this is not a formal inaugural, only as a replacement aircraft for PR849.” I was actually leaving for Manila that day on another flight. But I requested Jun if I can be on that historic first, even if I would have to leave two hours later. In one of the past issues, I actually recounted the time I was able to board the first Boeing 777-300ER of PAL when it arrived in Manila last November 25. This time it would be an actual flight.

PAL PR 849, using Boeing 777-300ER, with serial number 776, landed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport at 5:01PM last Thursday, April 8, making the day historic for the airport and Cebu. This aircraft is PAL’s second 777, which arrived in Manila last January 2010.

I boarded the B777 as a PR850 flight, was introduced by Jun Pilapil to the pilot, Captain Jose Ramon Lozano, and then took seat 2A. We took off using Runway 04 at 6:17PM and headed for Manila amidst fair skies in the summertime of aviation.

Other Developments

Cebu Pacific is now number three in growth and operations for Low Cost Carriers in the Asia-Pacific. We await more Airbus 320 aircrafts and new domestic and international routes this year.

Air Philippines - PAL Express has taken a new name and logo: Air Phil Express. The first Airbus 320 in white, blue and orange and the Air Phil Express logo has started to fly Manila-Davao, as well as to other domestic destinations. Soon Air Phil Express will also fly to Asian destinations. That will be the time we shall see these new aircrafts in Cebu.

Last February 21-23, I visited the number one cargo terminal in the world, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminal Limited (HACTL). Joseph Chua and Chris Lu, of Macroasia, accompanied the MCIAA team, composed of Cathy Sepulveda – Finance; Cesar Dona – Cargo/MRO Division and myself.

Development of a new Cargo/MRO zone at MCIA is forthcoming. At the same time, we have started the expansion project of the present passenger terminal and are also about to start the new ILS Installation Project.

Last March 30, we inaugurated the projects that have been completed in the past. All 10 members of the board and the men and women of MCIAA were there to highlight the event. We now have a more upgraded main fire station; security lights at the perimeter fence of the whole airport; new electric sub-station connected to the 69,000 volts primary lines of MECO; upgraded runway lighting, and a new gate and roadway adjacent to the General Aviation Complex.

Serving our People

After many years of managing the airport, MCIAA has done many things, coordinated with many agencies and companies working there to try to find new ways of serving our common client - the passengers.

Taking the cue from board member Bobit Avila, our Public Affairs Officer Ahmed Cuizon came up with a "Luck Welcomes You With Love" for welcoming both Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day balikbayan travellers.

MCIAA also collaborated with Batang Opon and our Couples For Christ Household for a Feeding Program at Suba-Masulog, Basak, last March 27. Every time we have activities like this, we always feel the need to find better ways of improving the quality of life of the families around us.

We continue to build One Airport,

One Team, One Family.