Mactan-Cebu Airport Targets 16 Million Passengers with New Direct Flights

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is accelerating its plan to become the primary transit hub for the Philippine archipelago. This move includes new direct regional flights and streamlined transfer protocols. The goal is to capture a larger share of the country's recovering tourism market.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, is leading this expansion. The company projects its network of air gateways will handle 16 million passengers by the end of 2025. This passenger volume would represent over 20 percent of the Philippines' total air traffic, according to a company statement.

This strategy signals a major shift in domestic aviation dynamics. Operators are seeking to bypass the perennially congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. They are utilizing Cebu’s central geographic advantage instead.

Network Expansion and New Destinations

A key part of the expansion is the introduction of new non-stop services. Sunlight Air commenced a new route to Siquijor on December 15. This flight establishes the first direct air link to the province. Siquijor is an emerging destination known for its rich marine biodiversity.

Economic forecasts suggest tourism in Siquijor could generate ₱300 million in revenue by 2026. This could drive local infrastructure investment and employment. The airport’s network growth also features exclusive direct flights to San Vicente in Palawan via Cebu Pacific Air. San Vicente is home to the country’s longest white-sand beach.

Additionally, Sunlight Air has bolstered connections from Cebu to Siargao. This targets international travelers who prefer a transit point in the Visayas over the capital.

Streamlining the Transit Experience

To manage the increased complexity of these routes, the airport introduced “CEB Connects.” This air-to-air transfer service is designed to reduce friction for transit passengers.

The system has significantly shortened connection windows. Domestic transfers now take as little as 35 minutes. International-to-domestic links are shortened to 60 minutes. Most inter-island flight times from the hub average between 45 and 60 minutes. This makes Cebu a highly efficient hub for inter-island travel.

Aboitiz's Multi-Hub Strategy

Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp. took over full operations of the Mactan-Cebu facility in October 2024. The company is segmenting its aviation portfolio under a multi-hub strategy.

• Cebu is designated as the “connectivity hub.”
• Bohol-Panglao International Airport is positioned as the leisure hub.
• Laguindingan International Airport is designated as the service hub.

Modernization projects for the Bohol and Laguindingan facilities are slated to begin in 2025. These will be supervised by the Department of Transportation. This comprehensive approach to commercial aviation news aims to elevate the entire central and southern Philippines air travel experience.