Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) recorded a 12% increase in cargo volumes in 2018 as the Philippines’ second busiest air hub continues to handle more flight services.
MCIA handled 82.058 million kilograms (kg) in 2018, higher than the 73.315 million kg recorded in 2017, according to statistics from Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority.
Domestic cargoes, which accounted for 77% of the total, grew 13.5% to 62.817 million kg last year from 55.341 million kg in 2017.
Foreign cargoes likewise improved 7% to 19.241 million kg from 17.974 million kg.
Flights in the Cebu hub have hit the 100,000 mark after servicing 100,449 flights last year, 16.3% up from the 86,380 flights in 2017.
Domestic flights surged 15% to 75,010 from 65,310 previously, while foreign flights jumped 20.7% to 25,439 from 21,070.
Passenger traffic also posted improvement, growing 13% to 11.378 million passengers in 2018 from 10.051 million in 2017.
Domestic passenger traffic, which contributed 67% of the total, increased 10% to 7.611 million last year from 6.905 million in 2017. Foreign passengers were recorded at 3.766 million, 20% up from the 3.146 million serviced in 2017.
MCIA, also the second largest airport in the Philippines, is connected to 24 international and 35 domestic destinations through 25 partner carriers.
Last year, MCIA opened its new resort-themed passenger terminal building (PTB) that increased the airport’s capacity from 4.5 million passengers per year to 12.2 million. The new PTB, Terminal 2, is dedicated to international flights while the old terminal is now exclusively for domestic flights. – Roumina Pablo
