Mactan-Cebu Airport Soars to New Heights with Prestigious Asian Award
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has achieved a remarkable milestone by being honored as the Airport of the Year – Asia during the prestigious TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025. The award ceremony took place on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, recognizing MCIA's outstanding contributions to air travel efficiency and passenger experience.
CEBConnects Program: Revolutionizing Passenger Transfers
This distinguished recognition highlights the success of MCIA's innovative CEBConnects program, a comprehensive overhaul of the airport's transfer systems designed to enhance connectivity throughout the Philippines. The program introduced several groundbreaking improvements including:
- Redesigned passenger flow patterns
- Dedicated transfer facilities
- Streamlined security and check-in procedures
The implementation of CEBConnects has yielded impressive results, with domestic-to-domestic connection times reduced from 60 to just 35 minutes. Similarly, international-related transfers now take only 60 minutes instead of the previous 90 minutes, representing a significant improvement in operational efficiency.
Leadership Perspective: Driving Philippine Tourism Forward
Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), expressed immense pride in this achievement. "This award is a testament to the dedication of the entire MCIA community and the success of CEBConnects," Titonis stated. "By strategically leveraging Cebu's central geographical location, we are not just speeding up transfers; we are actively supporting the country's tourism goals by making it easier for travelers to reach other island destinations."
The impact of these enhancements has been substantial, resulting in a 45 percent increase in transfer passenger volume. This growth underscores MCIA's expanding role as a crucial gateway to the Philippines, particularly for travelers heading to Visayas and Mindanao regions.
Enhanced Passenger Experience and Operational Excellence
Julius Neri Jr., MCIA Authority General Manager and CEO, emphasized how the CEBConnects program has transformed both airline operations and passenger satisfaction. "The improvements driven by CEBConnects are a game-changer for airline operations and customer experience," Neri explained. "The real-time benefits in on-time performance that we see enhances the transfer experience of our passengers who now find MCIA a highly competitive and reliable hub for regional travel."
Beyond CEBConnects, MCIA continues to introduce innovative initiatives to improve connectivity and passenger experience. These include:
- Cebu+ for integrated air-to-sea travel
- CEBBalik offering dedicated services for overseas Filipino workers
- Modern, world-class facilities serving millions of passengers annually
This prestigious award solidifies MCIA's position as a world-class aviation hub and demonstrates the Philippines' growing prominence in the global travel industry. The recognition serves as validation of the airport's commitment to excellence and its vital role in supporting the nation's tourism economy.
