Mactan-Cebu Airport to build Airport Village + T1 renovation updates

Since the opening of the world-class Terminal 2 of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in June last year, GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) has been doing phased renovation in Terminal 1. I flew through Terminal 1 last week and was able to see the progress as more areas have been boarded up for renovation.

Cover photo: Mactan-Cebu International Airport General Manager Steve Dicdican Authority, and GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation Chief Executive Adviser Andrew Harrison unveil the new arrivals pickup zone at Terminal 1

Exciting times ahead for the flying public as MCIA Terminal 1 is now undergoing a total renovation plan based on a design by the acclaimed Architects Budji + Royal Design. Terminal 1 will have its own unique identity further building on the resort-airport themed concept seen with the newly-opened Terminal 2.

Airport Village

Terminal 1 accounts for the majority of MCIA passenger traffic at 7.7 million passengers per year. According to GMCAC Chief Executive Advisor Andrew Harrison, “Because of this, architects have focused on a design concept that makes Terminal 1 more efficient, more pleasant to use, and most importantly, provides a significant improvement in various facilities for use by passengers as well as those receiving and seeing off passengers.”

As part of the aforementioned concept, a significant change for Terminal 1 will be the creation of an “Airport Village” which will see the current T1 arrivals pick-up road permanently closed and transformed into the new facility.

Harrison further explains, “The Airport Village is designed to provide a much better arrival experience for passengers and significantly expanded waiting areas for meeters and greeters.”

Access to the Airport Village from Departures will be via escalators and lifts thereby providing an opportunity for those family and friends to also make use of the Airport Village.

Effective March 15, Terminal 1 Arrivals Road will be permanently closed

Hence, effective 01:30AM on Friday, March 15, 2019, the T1 Arrivals Pick-up Road will be permanently closed. Vehicles meeting passengers have the option of using the main car park situated in-between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 or alternatively the vehicles may use the pick-up lanes in the new T1 Arrivals Pick-up Zone where waiting time is limited to two minutes to ensure sufficient capacity for all users.

The new arrivals pick-up zone

Access to the T1 Arrivals Pick-up Zone is via the T1 Departures Drop-off Road with signage directing vehicles to the T1 Arrivals Pick-up Zone.

For those that park their vehicles in the car park, access to T1 Arrivals Pick-up Zone is only by free shuttle bus with a bus stop located near the car park entrance. Shuttle buses operate on a continuous basis 24/7.

Taxi pick-up will remain in the same location for all types of taxis with a change in the assigned lanes, which will be highlighted through signage. The same applies for MyBus services to the city.

Harrison adds, “GMCAC and MCIAA look forward to ushering the new changes to Terminal 1 that will provide a significantly enhanced travel experience for passengers and users.

OMG I can’t wait for this project to be completed! With how Terminal 2 turned out to be, I guess it is safe to expect the new Terminal 1 to be of the same quality.

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