Since taking over operations in 2024, Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), the operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and part of Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Airports business, has pursued investments and operational improvements across infrastructure, technology, connectivity, sustainability, and customer experience. For MCIA, the latest recognitions reflect how these efforts are translating into a stronger airport experience.
Recently, MCIA was named among the Best Airports in Asia-Pacific in the 5–15 million passengers category for the second consecutive year under the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program. The recognition is based on standardized passenger feedback across more than 50 airport touchpoints, providing an independent measure of how travelers experience the airport.
At the same time, MCIA advanced from Level 2 to Level 3 of ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation, recognizing the airport’s progression from customer experience planning to active implementation across operations and service delivery. Level 3 reflects an advanced customer experience strategy involving passengers, team members, and customer experience professionals.
“Our focus has been on making investments and improvements that create a better airport experience—from infrastructure and technology to operations and connectivity. The goal is to translate these efforts into a safer, more efficient, and more connected journey for every passenger who passes through MCIA,” said Rafael M. Aboitiz, AIC Vice-President and Head of Airports.
“These recognitions affirm that the improvements ACAC has made are being felt by our passengers and recognized against global standards. They also reinforce our responsibility to keep improving. With the continued support of MCIAA, DOTr, CAAP, and our airport community, we will continue advancing MCIA as a world-class gateway for Cebu and the Philippines,” said Ricia Montejo, General Manager of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC).
Building a better airport through partnership
The airport’s continued development has been driven by the partnership between the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) and Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), the private-sector operator of MCIA, with the support and oversight of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and other government and industry stakeholders.
As a public-private partnership, MCIA brings together government stewardship and private-sector expertise, investment, and operational capabilities toward a shared objective: delivering a safe, efficient, competitive, and passenger-focused international gateway for Cebu and the Philippines.
The partnership enables the airport to respond to evolving demands in aviation while contributing to broader government priorities around connectivity, tourism, trade, economic activity, and the competitiveness of the Philippines as a destination and investment hub.
Turning improvements into a more connected journey
One of the most visible examples of this approach is CEB Connects, which began operations in April 2025 and reengineered passenger flow and airport infrastructure to make air-to-air transfers through Cebu faster and more convenient.
The initiative introduced dedicated transfer facilities and streamlined processes, reducing the minimum connection time for domestic-to-domestic transfers from 60 minutes to 35 minutes, while domestic-to-international, international-to-domestic, and international-to-international connections were reduced to 60 minutes. MCIA was subsequently named Airport of the Year – Asia at the 2025 TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards, with the recognition highlighting its transfer improvements.
Since beginning operations, CEB Connects has facilitated more than 500,000 passenger transfers, reinforcing Cebu’s role as a key transfer point between domestic and international destinations.
Beyond connectivity, MCIA has also advanced its work on operational standards and sustainability. In 2025, the airport was ranked the seventh Most Improved Airport in the World by Skytrax, a recognition that considers improvements in passenger services and airport experience.
In 2026, MCIA became the first Philippine airport to join ACI’s Regional Operational Safety Committee, expanding its participation in regional discussions on aviation safety and operational standards.
The airport also achieved Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation in August 2026. The accreditation recognizes MCIA’s established carbon management approach and demonstrated actions to reduce emissions, including a 1.64 MWp rooftop solar installation, energy-efficiency measures, smart sensors, LED lighting, and improved monitoring of HVAC systems and vehicle fuel consumption.
Taken together, these initiatives reflect a broader approach to airport development—one that combines infrastructure investment with operational improvements, safety, sustainability, and customer experience.
A Shared Achievement for MCIA
The recognition is a shared achievement for the entire MCIA community—including MCIAA, ACAC, government partners, airlines, concessionaires, service providers, the thousands of team members who keep the gateway operating every day, and the Cebuanos who rely on MCIA as a vital gateway to the region and the world.
MCIA demonstrates what can be achieved when the government and the private sector work toward a common goal. It highlights how sustained collaboration can translate infrastructure investment and operational expertise into improvements that benefit passengers, businesses, and the communities the airport serves.
As MCIA moves forward, the continued partnership between the public and private sectors will be key to ensuring the airport remains responsive to Cebu’s growing connectivity and economic needs.
