The Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the main gateway of the Queen City of the South for flights coming from other places in the country and the world. It was initially an emergency airport of the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force. During that time, it was known as the Mactan Air Base. According to the website of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, a total of 71,543 planes flew in and out of the airport last year. That is nearly 200 flights coming in and out of the airport every day.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport – image source: commons.wikimedia.org
Cebu Landing Field
But long before the Mactan-Cebu International airport started operating, there was the Lahug Airport. The Lahug Airport started off as the Cebu Landing Field. It was designated as a Military Airport and Landing Field prior to the Second World War. The designation was issued by President Manuel L. Quezon under Executive Order No. 154 on June 25, 1938.
After the war, President Manuel A. Roxas designated the Lahug Landing Field as a national airport on August 12, 1947. The designation was part of the efforts of the government to speed up the development of civil aviation in the country. This eventually led to the setting up of the Civil Aeronautics Administration on November 10. 1950.
But long before the Mactan-Cebu International airport started operating, there was the Lahug Airport. The Lahug Airport started off as the Cebu Landing Field. It was designated as a Military Airport and Landing Field prior to the Second World War. The designation was issued by President Manuel L. Quezon under Executive Order No. 154 on June 25, 1938.
After the war, President Manuel A. Roxas designated the Lahug Landing Field as a national airport on August 12, 1947. The designation was part of the efforts of the government to speed up the development of civil aviation in the country. This eventually led to the setting up of the Civil Aeronautics Administration on November 10. 1950.
Lahug Airport – image source: pacificwrecks.com
Before its designation, the Lahug Airport was used for both civilian and military use. The airstrip was oriented from the southwest to the northeast and was around 800 meters long. It also had a width of around seventy meters. Its facilities included a two-storey barracks, gas dump and hangar.
The airport was also the home base of the 6th Observation and Attack Squadron under 1st Lt Oscar Sales of the Philippine Army Air Corps. The air squadron was composed of thirteen (13) O-1 observation planes, one (1) Stinson Reliant and one (1) Stearman 17 trainer plane.
The airport was also the home base of the 6th Observation and Attack Squadron under 1st Lt Oscar Sales of the Philippine Army Air Corps. The air squadron was composed of thirteen (13) O-1 observation planes, one (1) Stinson Reliant and one (1) Stearman 17 trainer plane.
Lahug Airport – image source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net
Papal Mass
The Lahug Airport in Cebu was located in what is now the Cebu IT Park. In fact, the runway of the airport is the present Jose Maria del Mar Street or the main thoroughfare of the place that runs up to the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. The airport was also the venue of the papal mass on February 19, 1981. The late Pope and now Saint John Paul II offered the mass in front of thousands of residents and visitors to the Queen City of the South. It was the only open-air mass offered by the late pope.
The Lahug Airport in Cebu was located in what is now the Cebu IT Park. In fact, the runway of the airport is the present Jose Maria del Mar Street or the main thoroughfare of the place that runs up to the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. The airport was also the venue of the papal mass on February 19, 1981. The late Pope and now Saint John Paul II offered the mass in front of thousands of residents and visitors to the Queen City of the South. It was the only open-air mass offered by the late pope.
Lahug Airport – image source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net
By this time, air traffic was already routed to the Mactan Airport. The Lahug Airport was not expanded due to safety concerns since it was located in the middle of a residential area and close to the business centers of the city. The move was to avoid substantial loss of life in case a plane crashes. Operations at the Lahug Airport were moved to Mactan Island in 1967 since the place had a bigger airstrip.
Cebu IT Park – image source: commons.wikimedia.org
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