WINNING | Cebu airport transfers surge as AIC expands reach

Insider Spotlight

• Cebu strengthens its aviation hub status, with Mactan-Cebu International Airport recording more than 678,000 passenger transfers in the first nine months of 2026
• Bohol advances sustainable aviation through seven environmental initiatives, including solar energy, water conservation and electric ground equipment
• Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports earns three regional distinctions for passenger experience, sustainability and operational safety
  
  
  
  

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is reinforcing its position as a major Philippine aviation hub, processing more than 678,000 connecting passengers from January to September 2026 through its CEB Connects program, surpassing its full-year 2025 performance.

Driving the momentum: Airport operator Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) Airports secured three distinctions at the Travel Daily Media (TDM) Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 – Asia, held November 10 at Singapore's Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights AIC Airports' efforts to improve passenger connectivity, environmental sustainability and aviation safety across its Cebu, Bohol and Laguindingan gateways.

By the numbers: MCIA received Airport Experience of the Year – Philippines after CEB Connects facilitated more than 660,000 seamless passenger transfers across six airlines in 2025.

Beyond Cebu

Bohol-Panglao International Airport earned Sustainability Initiative of the Year – Philippines for its seven-part ECO-Airport Project, covering solar energy, water conservation, electric ground equipment, plastic reduction and collaboration with the Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark.

Meanwhile, Laguindingan International Airport received Health and Safety Initiative of the Year – Philippines for its Digital Hazard Ecosystem, a QR-code reporting system supporting thousands of aircraft movements without runway incursions, excursions or aircraft ground damage.

What they're saying 

"These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment across Cebu, Bohol, and Laguindingan to build and operate world-class airport infrastructure that enables regional economic growth, champions sustainability, and places passenger safety and seamless travel at the heart of everything we do," said AIC Airports CEO Athanasios Titonis.

The bigger picture

The latest honors build on MCIA's Airport of the Year in Asia recognition in 2025 and its Best Airport in Asia-Pacific distinction at the 2024 Airport Service Quality Awards.

What's next

AIC Airports continues collaborating with government agencies, airlines and tourism stakeholders to strengthen national connectivity, promote sustainable infrastructure and support inclusive regional economic development. ---Connie Fernandez-Brojan | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma