Cebu airport sees more cargo, passenger traffic in first half

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Cebu airport sees more cargo, passenger traffic in first half
Cargo volume for the January-June period increased 3.3% to 26.859 million kilograms from 25.992 million kg in the same period last year, based on data from Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority. Photo from the Office of Transportation Security.
  • Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s cargo, passenger and flight traffic improved year-on-year in the first half of 2022
  • Cargo volumes grew 3.3% while passenger traffic increased 349.7%
  • International cargo increased 10.5%
  • Domestic cargo declined 2.4%
  • The number of flights rose 174.4%
  • The number of domestic flights at MCIA reached 70% of pre-pandemic levels
  • International traffic should reach pre-COVID levels by end of the second quarter of 2023

Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s (MCIA) saw more cargo, passenger and flight traffic in the first half of 2022 from the same period last year with more flights now operating at the Visayas gateway.

Cargo volume for the January-June period increased 3.3% to 26.859 million kilograms from 25.992 million kg in the same period last year, data from Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority showed.

Of the total, domestic cargo accounted for 57% and international cargo the rest.

International cargo increased 10.5% to 12.707 million kg from 11.494 million kg.

Domestic cargo declined 2.4% to 14.152 million kg in the first half of 2022 from 14.497 million kg in the same period last year.

Flights in the first semester of the year jumped 174.4% to 20,551 from just 7,489 in the same semester in 2021.

Domestic flights climbed 189.5% to 18,258 from 6,306 while international flights grew 93.8% to 2,293 from 1,183.

Passenger traffic likewise improved 349.7% to 2.122 million passengers from 471,785 passengers in the first half of last year.

Domestic passengers increased 365.2% to 1.952 million from 419,536 while international passengers rose 226% to 170,328 from 52,249 last year.

MCIA private operator GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation earlier said the number of domestic flights using the airport has already reached 70% of the pre-pandemic level.

International traffic, which has ramped up since May, is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels by end of the second quarter of 2023.

A second runway for one of the country’s busiest hubs is being constructed and was earlier eyed for partial operability in the second quarter of 2022. In May last year, the airport’s new taxiway and apron, which increased its aircraft parking capacity from 40 slots to 50 and maximized aircraft movement capacity, was also inaugurated.

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