Sunday, March 16, 2008 Businesses vie for airport space
IN anticipation of the open skies policy that is projected to take effect in 2013, the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) is studying the layout plan and zoning of all types of locators and facilities.
MCIAA General Manager Danilo Augusto Francia said they have been swamped with applications for space from the different airport stakeholders.
The authority is finishing the bidding specifications for the construction of facilities under a build-transfer-operate (BTO) scheme. Under such a scheme, the company that finances the project operates it for a specified period, before transferring ownership to the MCIAA.
Investors are willing to undertake the project under a BTO arrangement, Francia said, because they see how viable businesses will be at Mactan airport when the open skies policy is fully implemented.
Under a one-sky system, Francia said, air transport will be liberalized, a development supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the travel and tours associations in the Philippines. The DOT is a member of the MCIAA Board.
According to the Association for Asia Research, an open skies policy for cargo and passenger services can lead to faster growth in international aviation and create new businesses.
Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on tourism, believes that under an open-skies policy, more international airline companies will be encouraged to come to the country and bring more tourists and foreign investors.
Fees
Meanwhile, Francia said the MCIAA is modifying the administrative order on fees and charges, to increase rates in accordance with prevailing national and local rates.
It covers all types of fees and charges applicable to airport users.
The administrative order on fees and charges is a major part of the MCIAA Charter that took effect in 1990.
Francia said the modified rates may apply to the Philippine Airlines (PAL), which is pushing for the establishment of its southern headquarters at Mactan.
PAL has recently opened negotiations to lease space in Mactan, where it plans to set up a hangar and maintenance facility for some of its fleet. For now, all of its fleet is based in Manila. (EOB)
