Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet launched direct services connecting Cebu to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on Nov. 10 and 11, respectively, opening more travel opportunities between Cebu and Vietnam while supporting the airport's continuing expansion as an international aviation hub.
The new routes came as 37-year-old lawyer Jarred Gullas took over as head of MCIAA, succeeding lawyer Julius "Jayjay" G. Neri Jr., who stepped down after nearly a decade of service to the airport authority.
The developments marked another chapter in MCIA's efforts to expand its international network, attract more foreign visitors and strengthen Cebu's position as a major aviation gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao.
New Vietnam connections
Operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp. (ACAC), MCIA will now have direct connections to Vietnam's two major cities, with Vietjet operating three flights weekly on each route using Airbus A321 aircraft.
The Cebu-Hanoi service began November 10, while flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City started Nov. 11.
The launch follows Vietjet's announcement in June 2026, during the state visit of Vietnamese General Secretary and President Tô Lâm to the Philippines, of its plans to establish direct flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City.
The addition of Hanoi expands the airline's initial commitment to the Cebu market, providing travelers with more options for business, tourism and leisure travel.
The new routes also offer Vietnamese tourists direct access to Cebu's beaches, dive destinations and heritage attractions, as well as convenient connections to other Philippine destinations through MCIA's domestic network.
Athanasios Titonis, ACAC chief executive officer, said the two routes support the airport's strategy of positioning Cebu as a major tourism transfer hub.
"These flights give Cebuanos more ways to discover Vietnam, and give Vietnamese travelers a direct gateway to Cebu and the other Philippine island destinations," Titonis said.
He said the expansion supports MCIA's CEB Connects initiative, which aims to establish Cebu as the country's premier tourism transfer gateway.
Vietjet chief executive officer Nguyen Thanh Son said the airline sees strong potential for travel growth between Cebu and Vietnam.
"The two routes inaugurated today will further stimulate two-way travel, connecting destinations with strong tourism potential in both countries," Son said.
He expressed confidence that Cebu would become a growing market within Vietjet's regional network.
Inaugural promo
To mark the launch, Vietjet is offering promotional fares from November 10 to 12, with one-way economy tickets starting at US$75, inclusive of taxes and fees, and a 25-percent discount on Deluxe fares.
For the Ho Chi Minh City route, flights will arrive in Cebu at 2 a.m. and depart for Vietnam at 3 a.m. For Hanoi, flights will arrive in Cebu at 1 a.m. and depart at 6:30 a.m.
The inaugural flights were welcomed with traditional water cannon salutes and ceremonies at MCIA.
With the addition of these routes, MCIA's network expands to 28 domestic and 17 international destinations, served by four Philippine-based and 19 foreign airline partners.
New leadership at MCIAA
The launch of the new flights coincided with a leadership transition at MCIA following the appointment of Gullas, who took his oath as the new MCIAA general manager before Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon in Manila on Monday, November 9.
Gullas, who served as director of the Office of Regional Concerns under the Office of the President since August 2022, takes over the airport authority at a time when MCIA is expanding its international network and working to improve its capacity to accommodate growing passenger and aircraft traffic.
He took over from Neri, who served on the MCIAA Board of Directors beginning December 2016 before assuming the position of airport authority general manager and chief executive officer in July 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a Facebook post marking his departure, Neri said the airport's achievements during his term exceeded his expectations, citing back-to-back Best Airport Awards in 2024 and 2025, along with other local and international recognitions and accreditations.
He described his nearly 10 years of service as a period he would remember with fondness, satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
Neri wished Gullas success in his new position, expressing confidence that his successor would be supported by a capable team.
"You will be working with a great team and I will always be around if you need me," Neri said.
He said he now plans to spend more time with his family, pursue personal interests and focus on his health as he prepares for retirement.
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