Know why Mactan Cebu International Airport named Best in Asia

For a country that was once regarded to have one of the most stressful airports for business class passengers, the Mactan Cebu International Airport being named "Best in Asia" is a proud feat that Filipinos will surely receive as more than just a piece of good news.

At the Routes Asia Awards held in Chiang Mai, Thailand on the evening of February 15, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) was adjudged the best airport in the Asia-Pacific region in the category of "Under 5 million Passengers."

The overall winner was Singapore's Changi Airport, which won in the category of "Over 10 Million Passengers." Perth Airport in Australia, meanwhile, received the best airport award in the "5-10 Million Passengers" category.

Established in 1997, Routes Asia is a respected award-giving body known for acknowledging airline marketing services and excellence in the route development industry. In its online publication, Routes Asia extolled the MCIA operators for taking "a two-pronged approach to route development: airline marketing to create supply and destination marketing: for the sustainability of its airline partner's presence and address the demand for air services."

Julius Neri, MCIA's General Manager, expressed that the Cebu international airport is the embodiment of a fruitful public-private partnership, with the MCIAA representing the government and the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation as the private sector.

Who knows, with the collective efforts of the airport's management and operators, it can beat Singapore Changi Airport as the overall winner in the future?

History of Mactan-Cebu International Airport

Considered the second busiest airport in the Philippines after the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with the most passenger traffic, MCIA is an international airport catering to Cebu City passengers and is considered the gateway to Central Visayas (besides Cebu, the region includes Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor). The 797-hectare airport is located at Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island.

The airport is being managed by the Mactan–Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) but is being operated by the GMR–Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation.

Its earlier history could be traced back to the mid-1950s when the United States Air Base constructed a runway serving as an emergency airport known as the Mactan Air Base. A decade later in April 1966, commercial flights officially commenced for domestic destinations. More than 10 years later in 1978, international flights followed suit.

In July 1990, Republic Act No. 6958 was legislated for the creation and establishment of the Mactan–Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA). In 2009, its projected maximum passenger capacity of 4.5 million annually was exceeded by 300,000. In 2017, it accommodated more than 10 million passengers, cementing itself as the second busiest airport after NAIA.

Expansions and Developments

Proposals for a new terminal began as early as 2005 under the Arroyo administration. But instead of a new terminal, an expansion to the existing terminal was sought.

Under the new administration of then-President Noynoy Aquino, the expansion of the country's second busiest airport was among the top priorities in the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) program of the national government.

Fast forward to June 29, 2015, then-President Benigno Aquino graced the ground-breaking rites at the station of the old Philippine Air Force base in Lapu-Lapu City, which was demolished for the Terminal 2 construction. The actual construction of the second terminal started on January 22, 2016. On June 7, 2018, Terminal 2 was officially launched and inaugurated by then-President Rodrigo Duterte. The second terminal commenced operations on July 1st.

In 2019, the Mactan-Cebu international airport recorded its highest annual passenger traffic with over 12.6 million. The following year, it dwindled to just 2.7 million due to the coronavirus outbreak. It was worse in 2021 with just 1.3 million passengers.

Last year, on the other hand, with travel restrictions eased and COVID-19 cases significantly diminished, 5.5 million passengers were recorded. Though the World Health Organization (WHO) still said that the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be a global emergency, we are indeed in a much better situation.

Massive Infrastructure Presence a Key Driver in Cebu's Real Estate Market Boom

Cebu remains the wealthiest province in the entire country. Outside Metro Manila, it is also the largest real estate location for property investors and developers. According to a report by SunStar Cebu, the province is "bound for rebound" this 2023 after a strong finish for the real estate industry in the entire country.

The strong infrastructure presence in Cebu definitely plays a major role in the desirability of its location to develop more and more real estate properties, be it residential or commercial spaces. The international airport in Lapu-Lapu City is just one of the many infrastructure projects in Cebu that makes it accessible for both domestic and international guests, tourists, and those eyeing Cebu as an ideal location to build a home outside Metro Manila.

Lumina Homes, Vista Land's housing arm, has built a presence in Cebu province as well. In Carcar City, Lumina Homes residents enjoy various perks and amenities, including proximity to vital establishments and institutions such as schools, hospitals, marketplaces, malls, leisure spots, major roads, and local government offices, among others.

In Lumina Carcar, moreover, homeowners get to enjoy the following amenities:

• Multi-Purpose Hall

• Guarded Entrance

• Mini Gardens & Playgrounds

If you are fancying the perfect balance of provincial living without being deprived of perks and amenities that are only commonly found in urbanized cities, Lumina Homes in Brgy. Can-asujan, Carcar City, Cebu is the perfect location for an affordable house and lot investment.

Furthermore, Lumina Homes have been in the real estate industry for more than 10 years. With our quality yet affordable house and lot for sale provisions, our brand has been recognized by award-giving bodies from Pag-IBIG Fund and Carousell Property Awards. This is a testament to our enduring commitment to providing affordable housing for all Filipino families.

Achieve homeownership in the Heritage City of Cebu and become a Lumina homeowner this 2023! Contact us today for your inquiries and real estate investment concerns.