27/12/2025
ABOITIZ TARGETS 16-MILLION PASSENGERS AS MACTAN-CEBU EXPANSION GAINS SPEED
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is fast becoming a major transit hub in the Philippines, offering more direct regional flights and smoother transfer services to capture a growing share of the country’s recovering tourism market.
Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, said the airport’s expansion is part of a broader strategy to manage air gateways expected to accommodate 16 million passengers by the end of 2025.
“This volume represents over 20 percent of total passenger traffic in the Philippines,” the company stated. The development also marks a shift in domestic aviation, as operators look to bypass the crowded Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila by leveraging Cebu’s central location.
A key highlight is the launch of direct flights to Siquijor operated by Sunlight Air, which began on December 15. This marks the first non-stop connection to the province, a growing tourist destination celebrated for its marine biodiversity. Tourism in Siquijor is projected to generate ₱300 million in revenue by 2026, potentially boosting local infrastructure and job opportunities.
The airport’s network is also expanding with exclusive flights to San Vicente, Palawan via Cebu Pacific Air. San Vicente boasts the country’s longest white-sand beach at 14.7 kilometers and has been designated a flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone.
Sunlight Air has further strengthened Cebu-Siargao connections, appealing to international travelers who prefer connecting through the Visayas instead of Manila.
To handle these growing routes, Mactan-Cebu has introduced “CEB Connects,” an air-to-air transfer service designed to make transit smoother. Connection times have been reduced to 35 minutes for domestic flights and 60 minutes for international-to-domestic transfers, with most inter-island flights averaging 45 to 60 minutes.
Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp. assumed operations of the airport in October 2024, positioning Cebu as a connectivity hub while designating Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport as leisure and service hubs. Modernization projects for the Bohol and Laguindingan airports are set to start in 2025 under the supervision of the Department of Transportation.
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This story originally appeared on Manila Bulletin Business. Graphics and edits by Destination PH.