Airlines and Aviation

Mactan-Cebu Airport temporarily transfers all departures to Terminal 2

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To ensure the safety of passengers and staff during emergency rectification and repairs of damaged structures caused by Typhoon Odette last December 16, 2021, GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) will transfer all departures for both Domestic and International flights to Terminal 2 (T2) beginning Sunday, January 16, 2022, 06:00 a.m. PHT. The damage to Terminal 1 (T1) has been far more extensive especially at T1 departure areas which requires an immediate rectification program which will last several months. In order to ensure that users and stakeholders of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) continue to experience a high level of service, safety and security, GMCAC will consolidate all departures in Terminal 2 for the duration of the rectification program.

Domestic arrivals will continue to arrive at T1 South Wing Arrivals as this area is the least damaged section of T1. International Arrivals will also continue to arrive at T2 Arrivals in order to remain fully compliant with the arrival health protocols set by the national government and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

In summary, the following operational concept will be as follows for each terminal:

Terminal 1

  1. All Domestic Arrivals will arrive at T1 South Wing Baggage Reclaim.
  2. Domestic Arriving passengers will access T1 Baggage Reclaim Hall from T2 by connecting airside link bridge or be transported by bus, depending on their designated aircraft parking bay and proximity to the Domestic Baggage Reclaim Hall in T1.
  3. Domestic Arrivals Pick-up for vehicles will remain at T1 Transportation Hub.
  4. Airport Village will remain operational with selected shops open for the benefit of meeters and greeters.

Terminal 2

  1. All Domestic and International Departures will access the upper level of T2 Departures Drop-off with limited waiting time for drop-off to prevent congestion.
  2. Domestic and International passengers will check-in at T2 and proceed through final security check to proceed to their designated boarding gates.
  3. International passengers will be separated from Domestic passengers at entry to the designated international boarding gates which have Immigration Counters located at the entry to the designated gates. 
  4. All passengers (both Domestic and International) will have access to all facilities in T2. However, certain retail outlets specifically for international passengers, such as Duty Free, will not be open due to the very low volume of international departing passengers for now.
  5. International Arriving passengers will access T2 Bureau of Quarantine Verification Counters, Immigration Counters, Baggage Reclaim Hall, and Customs in compliance with the current IATF protocols for arriving international passengers. 

GMCAC will ensure adequate staff guidance and signage is in place to provide passengers with directions and information during the switchover period.

The consolidated mode of operations at T2 will remain so until rectification and repairs of both T1 and T2 have been completed. Passengers and stakeholders shall be notified in advance of any changes to the designated use of Terminals 1 and 2 prior to any change of operations.

Temporary Entry Restrictions for International Arrivals at Mactan-Cebu Airport

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(Updated as of March 19, 2021) With reference to the clarification on temporary entry restrictions issued by the National Task Force (NTF) through Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2021 on March 18, 2021, only passengers under the following classifications shall be permitted entry into the country via Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) during the restricted period starting 00:01 of March 22, 2021 until 23:59 of April 21, 2021:

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Philippine Airlines Mid-Year 2020 Promo

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We were all excited for 2020 but then, COVID-19 came like The Grinch who stole Christmas and put everything to a halt. But as we look forward to moving on with the new normal, Philippine Airlines, is launching their Mid-Year Special Offer on Monday, July 13, 2020, where travelers can enjoy safe skies and safe travels with the Heart of the Filipino.

For base fares as low as P388 for domestic destinations and USD99 for international destinations, passengers can book their flights for travels from August 1, 2020 up to May 31, 2021.

Time to go back to our bucket list! Whether you’re flying home to your loved ones, going on essential business travels, or planning for that long overdue vacation, passengers may avail of these special fares from July 13 to 19, 2020.

To avail of the offer, passengers may book via  www.philippineairlines.com or call PAL Reservations at (+63 2) 8855 – 8888 or visit any PAL ticketing office or any partner travel agents or through the PAL mobile app.

New Normal, Same Heart

To ensure the safety and protection of all passengers, PAL is strictly implementing an all-out ‘Fly Safe’ set of new normal safety measures and practices – dubbed “New Normal, Same Heart” – that adopts international health and safety protocols while keeping the signature heartfelt service that the airline is known for.

Passengers are encouraged to check in on-line and arrive early at the airport to allocate extra time for new safety procedures. They are also required to wear face masks or facial coverings at all times – at the airport and throughout the flight – and observe physical distance whenever queueing in line or while seated at waiting areas at the airport.

The Philippine flag carrier is one of the first in the world to require cabin crew to wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while on board the flight; PAL’s cabin crew also undergo medical evaluation prior to their duty. PAL has modified its inflight meal and snack service, using sealed packaging instead of traditional meal arrangements. On top of these, PAL also offers Onboard Distancing Seat Options in Business Class, Premium Economy, and a designated zone of the Economy Class cabin for passengers
who wish to be extra safe when they fly.

All PAL aircraft are equipped with advanced cabin air systems that continuously infuse fresh air across the cabin (cabin air is replaced every 2 to 3 minutes), as well as High- Efficiency Particulate Air filters (or HEPA filters) that remove viruses, bacteria and other contaminants with 99.99% efficiency. The onboard air creates a controlled and cleaner environment comparable to hospital operating rooms that is safer than most enclosed public spaces.

The flag carrier has partially resumed regular commercial flights to various domestic destinations and key international cities in the US, Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Canada. PAL has also been operating special missions to repatriate stranded Filipinos and foreign nationals to and from different parts of the world, as well as all-cargo services to transport essential supplies across the Philippines and overseas.

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Mactan Cebu Airport on its way to becoming plastic-free!

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Mactan-Cebu International Airport sets sights on becoming country’s first plastics-free airport

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the Philippines’ resort-airport, has showed tremendous progress in its Going Green Campaign after banning the use of non-biodegradable single-use plastics and polystyrene containers in restaurants and shops inside the hub.

Starting this year, MCIA private operator GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) prohibited its concessionaires from using the non-biodegradable single-use plastics and polystyrene containers in restaurants and retail stores located in Terminals 1 and 2. Under the policy, GMCAC encourages the use of eco-friendly and reusable substitutes.

To date, 80% of the concessionaires are already using biodegradable alternatives such as plant starch utensils, paper cups and straws, wood stirrers, paper bags, and carton boxes for takeaway food.

“We took this step forward starting with our commercial partners as our commitment to environmental sustainability,” said GMCAC chief executive advisor Andrew Acquaah-Harrison.

“In 2018, MCIA produced a monthly average of 3,500-kilograms (kgs) of plastic waste from its restaurants and shops. This is now down by close to 30% or a decrease of around 12,000-kgs per year,” Harrison added.

GMCAC also holds regular information and education campaigns for all airport concessionaires and stakeholders to raise awareness on the impacts of plastic use on the environment.

OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
Meanwhile, GMCAC underlined its other initiatives as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Since August 2017, GMCAC has been using 6,300 solar panels on the roof of Terminal 1 to supply electricity for the airport. This made MCIA the first solar-powered airport in the Philippines. 

On a monthly average, the solar panel system produces 196,800 Kwh and provides for 30% of the electricity requirements of the domestic terminal.

AirAsia named Best Low-Cost Airline by Business Traveller Asia Pacific

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AirAsia has been named Best Low Cost Airline by Business Traveller Asia Pacific for the eighth year in a row, beating EasyJet and HK Express for the honor.

Photo: AirAsia Hong Kong and Macao CEO Celia Lao accepts the trophy for Best Low-cost Airline at the 2019 Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards held in Hong Kong

The Business Traveller Asia Pacific Awards recognize product and service excellence in aviation and hospitality, as voted by readers of the travel magazine, which has a circulation of 30,000 globally.

AirAsia Hong Kong and Macao CEO Celia Lao accepted the award at a special luncheon ceremony held in the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong.

AirAsia Group President (Airlines) Bo Lingam said, “We are proud to be recognised once again as the best LCC by the region’s most frequent and discerning travellers. For more than a decade, we have been at the forefront of delivering value to our guests, and we will continue to do so as we expand our travel offering on airasia.com beyond flights to better meet our guests’ ever-growing expectations.”

The Business Traveller Asia-Pacific magazine, launched in 1982, recognizes airlines, airports, hotels and travel destinations, that have been voted by its readers for their outstanding service and hospitality.

International Terminal fee to be included in ticket for flights out of Cebu starting September 1

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Good news to all travelers who are traveling international through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport! Beginning September 1, 2019, the International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC), otherwise known as the international terminal fee, shall be incorporated into airline tickets at point of sale for all international flights issued or reissued out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Previously issued tickets without International Passenger Service Charge

Within a year from September 1, 2019, passengers who have been issued or reissued tickets without the integrated IPSC shall pay the IPSC at the terminal fee counters inside Terminal 2. During this period, the following processes shall be implemented:
– At the check-in counter, the airline representative will verify through their system if the IPSC has already been integrated. If paid, airline representative shall issue the boarding pass with a PAID stamp and a non-revenue receipt.
– If the ticket was issued or reissued prior to September 1 , 2019, the airline representative shall issue a boarding pass without the PAID stamp and direct the passenger to the terminal fee counters. At the terminal fee counter, the teller shall collect the IPSC payment from the passenger and issue a receipt attached to the boarding pass.

IPSC Exemption

These passengers are exempted from the IPSC payment as mandated by law:

  1. Children below two (2) years old, with or without any airline ticket
  2. Overseas Contract Worker
  3. Passenger denied entry
  4. Airline Crew
  5. Diplomats
  6. Athletes which have been officially endorsed by the Philippine Sports Commission
  7. Muslim Passengers travelling to Mecca on HAJ
  8. Any other person as may be specified by MCIAA in mutual agreement with GMCAC or as may be specified by legal requirement

For exempt passengers who have the IPSC integrated in their tickets, they will need to present the following documents at the terminal fee counter for claiming the exemption:

  1. Valid Overseas Exemption Certificate (OEC)
  2. Exemption certificate for pilgrims, athletes, and others
  3. Boarding pass

IPSC Refund

– All request for refunds shall be processed at the terminal fee counters on the day of departure upon presentation of:
* Boarding pass with PAID stamp
* Valid exemption documents as specified above
– Exempted passengers shall be refunded the full amount of the IPSC.
– For unused tickets, the air carrier shall be responsible for the processing of the refunds subject to the airline ticket terms and conditions.

For any concerns or further inquiries, passengers may contact Mactan-Cebu International Airport through (032) 494-7000 or email customerservice@gmcac.ph.

Mactan-Cebu Airport recognized as a breastfeeding friendly airport

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GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation, together with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, is proud to announce that the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) was recognized as a Breastfeeding Friendly Public Place by the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) during the 7th Breastfeeding Congress and the 1st Asia-Pacific Breastfeeding Conference in EDSA Shangri-La Hotel recently.

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AirAsia offers special fares at Best of Cebu 2019

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AirAsia has announced special fares* up to 20 percent off on all flights from Cebu as part of the Best of Cebu 2019 held at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City yesterday.

AirAsia Philippines President and CEO Dexter Comendador said, “Supporting the local tourism industry in cities outside Metro Manila remains a key focus for AirAsia, and we’re pleased to come on board as a partner of this years event.

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Mactan Cebu Airport raffles off Mercedes Benz

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Mactan Cebu Airport celebrates success with exciting raffle promo The Philippines’ friendliest resort airport, is raffling off a 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Royal Air round trip plane tickets to travelers that shop at any of Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA)’s retail outlets.  
 
“This is our way of giving back and thanking all the travelers, passengers, and stakeholders for MCIA’s successful operations and the continued support the past years especially since the opening of Terminal 2 (International) a year ago,” said Ravishankar Saravu, Chief Commercial Advisor of GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), the private concessionaire operating MCIA.

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