Guide To The New Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2

The Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 opened 1 July 2018, welcoming flights from overseas. The airport opened 11 months ahead of schedule to divert the airport congestion from Terminal 1 which is now reserved for domestic flights. MCIA Terminal 2 has a floor area of 65,000 sqm and is designed to increase the airport’s total handling capacity. Passenger capacity in the airport is expected to double from 4.5 million passengers a year to 12.2 million passengers a year.

The PHP17.5 billion terminal received China Eastern flight MU5023 from Shanghai operated with an Airbus A321 (B-1680) as its first scheduled arrival at 3.21 am on 1 July 2018.  The aircraft later departed as MU2024 bound back for Shanghai at 5.19 am. It was also the first departure out of the new airport terminal.

 

The new terminal features a 19-metre long link bridge canopy featuring Texlon-brand ETFE cladding system that ensures you are covered and shielded away from the hot sun when you arrive at the departure level. It is also easy to differentiate this new terminal from the existing terminal. Look out for the arching roofs of the International Terminals.

Guests entering the departure hall were welcomed by guest relations officers dressed in traditional Cebu costumes while etickets and proof of travel were checked by security on the day the airport terminal was officially opened for business.

The high ceilings with floor-to-ceiling glass windows as well as glass roof panelling allow sunlight to enter the departure hall providing a bright, spacious and resort-feel to the terminal. The roof is composed of an array of Austrian laminated (glulam) timbre wood arches, which form the roof curvature. These arches span ever 30 metres allowing the terminal to be column free.

Look out for the iridescent terrazzo flooring with mother-of-pearls inlay synonymous with Cebu’s white sandy beaches. The crushed mother-of-pearls shards are sourced from Cebu islands.

Synthetic stone countertops embellished with Dedon’s environmentally-friendly fibre-synthetic mesh weaving accented by LED mood lights make up the check-in counters at the departure hall.

There is an international terminal fee of PHP850 which is not included when you purchase your air tickets. You have to pay this terminal fee just before entering into Immigration at departures so don’t forget to set aside cash for this payment.

There are seven passenger boarding bridges which can be expanded to 12 serving wide and narrow body aircrafts. Airlines flying to international destinations to and from this airport include Air Busan, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Eastern, Emirates, EVA Air, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Korean Air, Lucky Air, Okay Airways, Pan Pacific Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Philippines AirAsia, Royal Air, Scoot, Sichuan Airlines, Silkair, T’way Air, Vanilla Air and Xiamen Air.

 

Airline Lounges at Mactan Cebu International Airport

Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounge

There are only two airline lounges at the new Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2. Both lounges are located in the same location at level 1 arrival level of the international pre-departure area of Mactan Cebu International Airport near Gate 20.

Eligible customers flying on Philippine Airlines can visit the Mabuhay Lounge. PAL flights departing from Cebu to Tokyo, Beijing, Osaka, Nagoya, Chengdu, Bangkok, Seoul and other regional points will use this new lounge.

 

Plaza Premium Lounge

The Plaza Premium Lounge is also located at level 1 arrival level of the international pre-departure area of Mactan Cebu International Airport near Gate 20. The 513 sqm lounge can accommodate 129 customers. It operates 24 hours daily. The walk-in rate is PhP1,560 (adult) or PhP1,092 (child aged 3 – 11 years old) for two hours.

Passengers flying in premium classes or are higher tier frequent flyer members flying with the following airlines are also able to use the lounge – Air Busan, Asiana Airline,  Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Emirates, Eva Air, Jeju Air, Korean Air, Pan Pacific, Sichuan Airlines, Silkair and Xiamen Airlines.

A bar serving juices, freshly brewed coffee as well as a selection of other hot and cold beverages, canned beer and wine are included in the regular lounge access package.

All day dining is available at the lounge, including a live cooking station, self-service selections and food counter serving local favourites such as Pork Adobo.

 

The lounge offers different types of seats including cabin seats workstations, viewing seat area throughout the lounge. There are shower facilities which come with toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, shaver, cotton buds, slippers, shower gel and shampoo. as well as kids play area at the lounge.

 

 

Public Facilities

Restrooms at the new international terminal are clean and spacious featuring bidets in the WCs as well as Italian lush moss feature walls made from natural lichen to add colour, stabilise humidity and improve air quality in the restroom.

The airport is well spaced out with areas for pop-ups such as this Cebu Pacific roadshow at gate 21 when the airport opened. If you are looking to relax before your flight, head over to the spa located near Burger King.

 

Shopping and Dining at Mactan Cebu International Airport

There are lots to shop at the departure hall after clearing immigration and security check. You have to walk through Duty Free Philippines that offers a selection of perfumes, wine and spirits, chocolates, cigarettes and other merchandise.

There are other stores before you get to the departure gates including a WH Smith store that lets you pick up snacks, drinks and a book or two for your flight. Other retail include Plug and Play

The food and beverage at Terminal 2 are operated by British company SSP Group which also operates in London ‘s Heathrow Airport, New York’s JFK International Airport and Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. F&B outlets here include Burger King, Camden, Ritazza to Go, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Cabin Bar, Nippon Ramen, Ritazza, Bonchon and Asian Kitchen.

The Cabin Bar offers travellers who wish to quench their thirst before their flights at the island bar or lounge area.

 

Arrivals

Passengers arriving at the new terminal will be able to clear immigration equipped with electronic Call Forward System to advise passengers which counters to approach for processing.

Mactan Cebu International Airport is managed by GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation, a Filipino-led consortium that includes GMR Group of India and the MEGAWIDE Construction Corporation. It took over the management of MCIA on 1 November 2014 and the concession agreement will last for 25 years.