WINNING | MCIA raises Cebu’s edge as regional gateway

Insider Spotlight

• MCIA is deepening investments in infrastructure, technology and operations as Cebu expands its role as a regional tourism and business gateway
• The airport secured back-to-back recognition among Asia-Pacific’s best airports in its passenger category
• MCIA also became the first and only Philippine airport to reach Level 3 of ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation
  
  
  
  

LAPU-LAPU CITY — Mactan-Cebu International Airport is sharpening Cebu’s competitiveness as a tourism, trade and investment hub, with continued upgrades to passenger services helping the Philippines’ busiest gateway outside Manila keep pace with leading airports across Asia-Pacific.

Driving the news

MCIA was named among the Best Airports in Asia-Pacific in the 5–15 million passengers category at the recent Airports Council International Airport Experience Summit 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. 

It marks the airport’s second consecutive ACI Airport Service Quality Customer Experience Awards recognition under Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports, which assumed operations in 2024.

Why it matters

The recognition comes as AIC Airports invests in MCIA’s infrastructure, technology, operations and passenger experience, improvements aimed at strengthening connectivity while making Cebu more attractive to travelers and investors.

“These recognitions affirm our commitment to making every journey through MCIA a positive and meaningful experience. More importantly, they challenge us to continuously raise our standards and find new ways to serve our passengers better,” said AIC vice president and head of airports Rafael M. Aboitiz.

“Our investments and improvements at the airport are ultimately about creating better experiences for the public, strengthening connectivity, and helping Cebu and the Philippines capture more opportunities in tourism, trade, and investment,” he said.

By the numbers

ACI’s ASQ awards are based on standardized passenger surveys covering more than 50 airport touchpoints worldwide. MCIA joins recognized airports in major aviation markets including India, China and Indonesia.

What’s new

MCIA also advanced to Level 3 of ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation from Level 2, making it the first and only Philippine airport to reach that level.

The framework evaluates customer understanding, strategy, measurement, operational improvement, governance, airport culture, service design and innovation, and airport community collaboration.

The bigger picture 

AIC Airports plans to carry MCIA’s passenger-first approach across its expanding Philippine airport portfolio.

“The customer experience at MCIA sets the benchmark for service excellence across AIC Airports’ portfolio, with the same commitment to putting passengers first to be carried forward at Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport,” said AIC Airports chief executive officer Athanasios Titonis. — Connie Fernandez-Brojan | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma