Aboitiz-operated airports boost regional air travel

Insider Spotlight

• Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports served more than 16 million passengers in 2025
• Portfolio covers Cebu, Bohol, and Northern Mindanao gateways
• Growth came despite earthquakes and typhoons in Visayas-Mindanao
• New routes and transfer services boosted regional connectivity
  

Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports (AIC) closed 2025 with more than 16 million passenger arrivals across its airport portfolio, reinforcing its position as the country’s largest airport operator outside Manila and highlighting the sustained recovery of regional air travel.

Why it matters

Passenger growth at key provincial gateways signals rising demand for tourism and business travel in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao, supporting broader regional economic activity beyond Metro Manila.

The big picture

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., in a press statement, said its airports recorded a combined 16.17 million passenger arrivals in 2025. 

This includes 11.6 million passengers at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), up almost 3 percent from 11.3 million in 2024, alongside 2.35 million passengers at Laguindingan International Airport (LIA) and 2.22 million at Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA).

By the numbers

Only counting the period after Aboitiz InfraCapital took over operations in 2025, Laguindingan handled 1.6 million passengers following its April handover, while Bohol-Panglao logged 1.07 million passengers after its June handover.

What they’re saying

“2025 has been a landmark year for our airports as we continue to expand connectivity for both domestic and international travelers. Passengers arriving at MCIA, LIA, and BPIA now have easier access to key destinations across Cebu, Bohol, and Northern Mindanao, making travel within the Philippines more seamless than ever,” Rafael M. Aboitiz, AIC vice president and head of airports, said in the same press statement.  

Rafael M. Aboitiz

AIC vice president and head of airports

Driving factors

The company said passenger growth was achieved despite major disruptions in the region, including a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Davao Oriental, and Typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan” that affected Western Visayas.

Zoom in

Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the busiest airport outside Manila, added exclusive nonstop routes in 2025, including flights to Siquijor via Sunlight Air and San Vicente, Palawan via Cebu Pacific. It also rolled out connectivity initiatives such as CEB Connects, CEB+, and CEB Balik to streamline transfers for domestic travelers and overseas Filipino workers.

What’s next

With 20 airlines serving 13 international routes through Cebu, Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports is positioning MCIA as a central gateway linking Visayas and Mindanao passengers to global destinations, while continuing to expand inter-island connectivity through its regional network. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma