The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has announced a significant reduction in passenger transfer times, marking a major leap in efficiency for one of the Philippines' key aviation hubs. This strategic improvement is already yielding positive results, including a sharp increase in transfer passenger traffic.
Faster Connections, Smoother Travel
The airport has successfully cut its minimum connection times, offering a much quicker experience for travelers. Domestic-to-domestic transfers have been reduced from 60 minutes to just 35 minutes. For those arriving from abroad and connecting to a domestic flight, the required time has been lowered from 90 minutes to 60 minutes.
These changes are part of the comprehensive CEBConnects program, a complete overhaul of the airport's transfer systems. The initiative introduced a reengineered passenger flow, new dedicated transfer facilities, and streamlined security and baggage procedures.
The impact is clear: the airport has seen a 45 percent increase in transfer passengers, meaning less waiting, fewer missed flights, and more travel options for everyone flying through Cebu.
Recognition and Benefits for Airlines and Passengers
The success of these upgrades was recognized on an international stage. On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, MCIA was awarded the prestigious Airport of the Year–Asia at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp., the airport's operator, credited the CEBConnects program for this achievement. He stated that the award reflects the dedication of the entire MCIA community.
Julius Neri Jr., General Manager and CEO of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, emphasized that the benefits extend beyond passengers to the airlines themselves. The enhanced flow and shorter layovers are making MCIA a faster, more reliable, and competitive regional hub.
"The improvements driven by CEBConnects are a game-changer for airline operations and customer experience," Neri said. He added that the real-time gains in on-time performance are making MCIA a top choice for regional travel.
What This Means for Travelers
For the everyday traveler, these changes translate to a significantly smoother journey. An international tourist, for example, landing in Cebu from a city like Tokyo and heading to Bohol can now expect a much faster and more predictable air-to-sea or air-to-island transfer.
The upgrades provide distinct advantages for different types of passengers:
- For Cebu-based travelers: Smoother outbound connections and a more reliable hub when returning home.
- For connecting passengers: The ability to book tighter, more convenient connections and access to a wider range of route options through Cebu.
Titonis highlighted the broader vision, noting that by leveraging Cebu's central location, MCIA is not just speeding up transfers but also supporting the country's tourism goals by making it easier for visitors to reach other beautiful island destinations.
Beyond CEBConnects, MCIA continues to enhance connectivity through other programs like Cebu+, which promotes seamless air-to-sea travel, and CEBBalik, a dedicated center that assists overseas Filipino workers. As the main gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao, these improvements solidify MCIA's position as a modern, world-class facility serving millions annually.
