Emergency runway pushed amid repairs

CEBU, Philippines — The construction of a parallel emergency runway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is being proposed while the main runway is shut down for resurfacing.

GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) is pushing for the immediate construction of the emergency runway to pave the way for the repair, which is expected to cause air traffic disruption.

MCIA is the second busiest airport in the Philippines, next to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

The unsolicited proposal was submitted to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Once approved, any work on the runway, including the interim resurfacing, will be carried out by GMCAC.

GMCAC, in a statement, said the repair works include the resurfacing of the runway’s central portion. It would take two weeks for the repair and another week for the installation of airfield lights.

GMCAC President Louie Ferrer said the resurfacing of the main runway is already long overdue.

"The closure period is subject to agreement with the airlines and GMCAC. It will balance sufficient time for works each night while minimum disruption to the airline schedule which will affect the riding public," read portion of the statement.

Earlier this year, GMCAC was able to resurface at least 300 meters of the touchdown runway as these were the more “distressed.”

MCIA Information Officer Mary Ann Dimabayao said airline companies, airport management and other concerned stakeholders are set to meet next week to discuss the project, including the proposed closure of the main runway for eight hours a day.

“No finality yet on the proposal,” she said.

The airport has a single runway, which is 3,500 meters long.

In a separate development, MCIA accommodated 5.76 million passengers (3.87 million domestic and 1.89 million international passengers) for the first half of this year. This is 12.5 percent or 640,000 higher compared to last year’s 5.12 million passengers.

According to GMCAC, the air traffic movement also grew by 12.86 percent or 49,843 flights this year from last year’s 44,165 flights.

"We closed the mid-year with a remarkable performance and we are positive to hit the projected 11.2 million passenger traffic this year especially now that we have opened Terminal 2,” said Ferrer.

“With the opening of MCIA’s newest passenger terminal building or Terminal 2 on July 1, GMCAC remains committed to its goal of making MCIA as the major transfer hub in Southeast Asia. We aggressively promote Cebu as a premium destination in the Philippines and proactively support other agencies that share the same vision," he added. — KBQ (FREEMAN)