Mactan terminal is Aussie firm’s Asia Pacific Airport of the Year —DOTr

The recently opened Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has been named as "Asia Pacific Airport of the Year" by the Center for Aviation (CAPA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Thursday.

"The award is given to an airport 'with 10 to 30 million annual passengers that has been the biggest standout strategically, has established itself as a leader and done the most to advance the progress of the aviation industry'," the DOTr said.

President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration of the MCIA's terminal 2 building on June 7, 2018.

GMR Megawide Cebu started constructing the MCIA's terminal 2 building in June 2015.

The aim is to reduce congestion at the international airport and increase annual passenger capacity from 4.5 million passengers per year to 12.2 million.

Dubbed as "The World’s Friendliest Resort Airport,” the MCIA is the second largest airport and one of the busiest in the Philippines, according to the DOTr.

"With a total of 25 international destinations, 30 domestic destinations, and with 26 partner airline carriers, the MCIA has become a viable choice in connecting Cebu to the world," it said.

Based in Sydney, CAPA is a source market intelligence for the aviation and travel industry.

According to its website, it has a network of aviation researchers and analysts across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

The group started giving the CAPA awards in 2003. —NB, GMA News