THE operator of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) vowed to further improve its services, following a recognition from London-based air travel intelligence group OAG, which ranked the air hub as the one of Southeast Asia’s top airports in terms of on-time performance (OTP).

Cebu’s premier air hub was ranked by the British company as the ninth airport in the Asean with the best OTP, which is measured by departures and arrivals that take place “strictly less than 15 minutes after scheduled departure and arrival time, including cancellations.”

It only includes airports with more than 4,000 flights a month.

Topping the OAG’s list is Juanda Surabaya Airport in Indonesia, followed by Don Muang Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. Ranking third was Singapore Changi Airport, followed by Phuket International Airport in Thailand and Noi Bai Interantional Terminal in Hanoi, Vietnam.

In the sixth place was Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, followed by the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. Trailing behind at the eighth spot is Tan So Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. The 10th spot went to Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, Indonesia.

GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. Preisdent Louie B. Ferrer said his group has been “working hard to ensure the on-time arrival and departure of Cebu flights.”

“This ranking is a testament to our commitment,” he said. “It’s also a challenge for us to continue finding ways to deliver better, friendlier service to our stakeholders. We intend to keep doing better.”

The airport connects 24 international and 35 domestic destinations through 25 partner carriers.

Ferrer said the company aims to further grow the operations of the airport through aggressive airline partnerships, targeting both existing and untapped markets.

“Mactan-Cebu’s central location is the ideal jump-off point to other domestic and international destinations. We will continue to maximize this location and position Cebu as a central hub in Southeast Asia,” he said.

By Lorenz S. Marasigan