CEBU CITY – The world’s first resort airport will be opening its doors next week.
The P17.5-billion Terminal 2 of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is set to be inaugurated on June 7.
President Duterte would be among the guests who would attend the inauguration, said Louie Ferrer, president of the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC).
But the actual operations of the airport would be on July 1, as stated in their concession agreement, he added.
Between the inauguration and the official opening, GMCAC will open Terminal 2 on certain days for the public and guests to visit.
Test runs and clean up will also be made during the period.
Terminal 2 is expected to increase passenger capacity to 12.5 million annually.
It will cater to inbound and outbound international flights.
The 65,500-square meter terminal is designed by Hong Kong-based Integrated Design Associates (IDA) together with local designers Budji Layug, Royal Pinda, and Cebu’s very own Kenneth Cobonpue.
Its design is envisioned to display the “warmth and friendliness” of the local culture and people of Cebu.
The most recognizable feature of Terminal 2 is its curved wooden roof, which also integrates layered glass to allow natural sunlight to seep through the facility. This sunlight would then reflect on the terminal’s tiles, made of polished concrete and contains mother of pearls sourced in Cebu to create a glimmer similar to sand, a representation of its resort feel.
There will be 48 check-in counters that are expandable to 72.
Each counter is designed with rattan and is back-lighted to make it look like lanterns. It has provisions for seven passenger boarding bridges which can be expanded to 12.
The entire terminal is also equipped with 12 escalators and 15 elevators.
A car parking facility will be available that can accommodate 550 cars and expandable to 750 cars.
Another feature of the terminal is an automatic tray return system (ATRS) which will automatically return empty trays for passengers to put their bags, ending the hassle to look for one.