An Afternoon of PlaneSpotting at Mactan-Cebu Airport

It is said that in Cebu, bird-watching is one of the reasons why photographers “flock” the island of Olango. However, its neighboring historical island of Mactan has a different kind of photographers or enthusiasts that takes photos of a different kind of birds, one that is man’s greatest achievements—the aircraft. And just yesterday, the “plane-spotters” visited the country’s second busiest airport to get a glimpse of the birds’ beauty in this resort city.

Plane spotting is a hobby of photographers wherein they take pictures of airplanes or aircraft, or anything aviation. While bird-spotters flock to bird sanctuaries, plane-spotters go to airports. Personally, since I was a kid, I have a deep obsession of taking aircraft photos, especially spending weekends on now defunct Nayong Pilipino besides Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Uubusin ang 36 shots ng film para lang sa mga eroplano! Kebs na lang ang ibang sights sa Nayong, hehe!

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (RPVM/CEB) is, again, the country’s second busiest airport. It is the aviation hub for most airlines in Visayas and Mindanao. Regional Asian airlines also fly in here, as Cebu is also known outside as the gateway to the resort island living in the Philippines. Just last year, it has more or less four million passing by its gate.

The Philippine Plane Spotters Group, an internet-based group of photographers and aviation enthusiasts, flocked to Mactan Airport yesterday to take some photos of aircraft taking off, parking and leaving the island. It was also an opportunity for the plane-spotters to meet the General Manager of the airport himself, Mr. Nigel Villarete (GM, salamat gid sa bulig!)

The first few hours, we spent our time on the observation deck of the passenger terminal. It was one hot and humid day and the photographers decided to stay in here till the sun comes down. Ideally, the observation deck is the best place for plane-spotters to take photos of the aircraft up-close. Since the existing airport terminal was built in the 1990s, observation deck for well-wishers is still part of the design, until 9-11 came in. Today, the observation deck is restricted to public access. Getting here may need some permission from the authorities.

While CEB is the second busiest in the country, that afternoon we got a mega-dose (or overdose) of Airbus A320s and 319s all over (sila na ang parang maya ng mga airport sa Pinas sa sobrag common ng mga ito). Aside from these babies, a number of turboprops from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific were also spotted, Bombardier Q400s and ATR-72s respectively.

As the sun slowly sinks over the horizon, it’s time for us to move to General Aviation area, wherein we met the General Manager and take twilight shots of the airport and aircraft.

Heading to GenAv area, which is on the other side of the airport, isn’t that easy. First, we have to pass by the narrow roads between Ibo-Buaya and Pusok in Mactan…which is chaotic (talk about urban planning, Lapu-Lapu City!).

GenAv is where the small aircraft, private hangars, and flying schools are located. It was also an ideal place to take photos of aircraft taking off and landing during summer and amihan seasons, since its closer to Runway 04, the southern end of the airport. There, we met GM who welcomed us warmly that dusk.

As the day concludes, we took several photos of aircraft in Cebu. For some, it may sound silly—taking pictures of aircraft and just for the heck of it. For us enthusiasts, this activity is something that we are all passionate about. And as for me, an aspiring pilot, this hobby brings me closer to my dreams—be an aviator, someday…somehow.

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