Insider Spotlight
The News: Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has secured a repeat victory as the Best Airport in Asia-Pacific for the 5-15 million passenger category
The Driver: A "real-time" global benchmarking program (ASQ) surveyed 707,000 travelers to determine the world's most efficient hubs
The Impact: The award cements Cebu’s position as a premier tourism and investment engine for the Philippines, bridging the gap between local hospitality and global infrastructure
By prioritizing "passenger-first" infrastructure, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is driving a surge in tourism and investment that resonates far beyond the runway.
The repeat win
For the second consecutive year, MCIA has been recognized as the 2025 ASQ Best Airport in Asia-Pacific (5-15 Million Passengers Category).
This accolade, alongside its "Airport of the Year" title from the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards, highlights a sustained trajectory of operational excellence.
The honors will be formally presented at the ACI World Airport Experience Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, in late 2026.
Why it matters
Unlike typical industry awards, the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program relies on real-time data from travelers on-site. In a field of 707,000 surveyed passengers worldwide, MCIA emerged as one of only 88 airports globally to reach this level of departure excellence.
“This ASQ Customer Experience Award is especially meaningful because it reflects the genuine voice of our passengers — the very people we serve every day,” said Athanasios Titonis, CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp.
“We are not just a point of transit, but a gateway designed to make travel efficient, comfortable, and well-connected for all our passengers.”
The local impact
The airport's success is a critical pillar for the provincial economy. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro noted that a world-class gateway is vital for drawing in high-value investments.
“This award is more than a trophy—it is proof that Cebu can compete globally while delivering excellence locally,” she stated.
Between the lines
The secret sauce is a tight Public-Private Partnership (PPP). By aligning the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) with private operators, the hub has optimized every "touchpoint"—from check-in to boarding.
Julius G. Neri Jr., GM and CEO of MCIAA, credited the synergy: “By continuously elevating our operational standards and setting new benchmarks for efficiency, we are proving our readiness to handle the growing demand for Cebu as a global destination.”
What’s next
As MCIA aims to become the primary transfer hub for the Philippines, the focus shifts to scaling these service standards to meet projected passenger growth through 2027. —Connie Fernandez-Brojan | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
