Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), a critical gateway to the Central Visayas region, has confirmed that its operations, including the newly constructed Terminal 2, were not impacted by the recent strong Magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province of Cebu.
Following the recent seismic event, the entire airport complex, including Terminal 2, the air traffic control tower, and the runway, underwent immediate and thorough structural inspections by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). These inspections confirmed that no structural damage was found anywhere on the premises.
The airport temporarily suspended operations at approximately 10:40 PM as a precautionary measure, with all passengers and staff safely evacuated while inspections were conducted. This swift action prioritised the safety of everyone at the airport.
Upon receiving the all-clear from CAAP inspectors, airport operations were immediately resumed and quickly returned to normal.
“The integrity of our infrastructure is paramount, and we are relieved and proud to confirm that all MCIA facilities, especially the state-of-the-art Terminal 2, performed exactly as designed under significant seismic stress,” said an MCIA spokesperson.
The confirmed resilience of the airport’s structure is a testament to its construction standards. The Terminal 2 project was built in full compliance with the National Building Code of the Philippines and incorporated additional rigorous standards, such as those from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). These measures were specifically integrated into the design and construction process to ensure the facility could safely withstand significant earthquake loads, given the area’s known seismic activity.
MCIA remains fully operational and committed to providing a safe and reliable travel experience for all domestic and international passengers.
