Inside MCIA’s unified approach to smarter airport operations

Before the upgrade, MCIA’s terminals operated on separate systems that created gaps across mission-critical operations, including utilities, HVAC, and facility monitoring. This led to inconsistent performance, slower responses, and higher operating costs. With airports contributing about 2.5% of global carbon emissions, MCIA also aimed to reduce its footprint through smarter energy and asset management.

MCIA needed a unified approach to:

• Maintain essential utilities that underpin airport operations
• Reduce operational and energy costs
• Create a consistent digital environment across two terminals
• Strengthen resilience and responsiveness
• Support sustainability objectives with better performance insight

Mactan-Cebu International Airport modernized operations by deploying the Metasys Building Automation System in Terminal 1 and integrating it with the existing BMS in Terminal 2. This created a unified, airport-wide BAS environment without the need to replace systems already in place. Key elements included:

• Updating Terminal 1’s legacy systems to the latest Optimum Metasys UI
• Deploying ADX software for enhanced performance, capacity, and reporting
• Introducing a software subscription to ensure continuous updates and system stability
• Integrating Terminal 1’s new BAS with Terminal 2’s existing BAS for coordinated monitoring and control
• Providing mobile compatible access for streamlined oversight from any location
• Using tailored summaries to simplify programming and troubleshooting, and reporting

Together, these steps created a more cohesive operating environment in which systems in both terminals can be monitored, analyzed and optimized in real time.

Operating both terminals through a unified platform enables clearer insight into system performance and more consistent responses across the airport. Real-time alarms, trend data, and reporting help facility teams make faster, better-informed decisions.

The consolidation has reduced energy use, minimized equipment strain, and improved overall reliability-supporting MCIA’s decarbonization goals and lowering operational waste. Passengers benefit from smoother flow through terminals, fewer disruptions, and a more consistently comfortable experience.