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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Aboitiz targets 16-million passengers as Mactan-Cebu expansion gains speed

Aboitiz targets 16-million passengers as Mactan-Cebu expansion gains speed

Published Dec 22, 2025 03:19 pm
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is accelerating its transformation into a primary transit hub for the Philippine archipelago, introducing a suite of direct regional flights and streamlined transfer protocols to capture a larger share of the country's recovering tourism market.
Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, said the expansion is part of a broader strategy to manage a network of air gateways that are projected to handle 16 million passengers by the end of 2025.
That volume would represent more than 20 percent of total passenger traffic in the Philippines, according to a company statement. The move signals a shift in domestic aviation dynamics, as operators seek to bypass the perennially congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila by utilizing Cebu’s geographic advantage in the center of the country.
A centerpoint of the expansion is a new non-stop service to Siquijor operated by Sunlight Air, which commenced on Dec. 15.
The route establishes the first direct air link to the province, an emerging destination known for its marine biodiversity. Economic forecasts cited by the airport operator suggest tourism in Siquijor could generate ₱300 million in revenue by 2026, potentially driving local infrastructure investment and employment.
The airport’s network growth also includes exclusive direct flights to San Vicente in Palawan via Cebu Pacific Air.
San Vicente is home to the country’s longest white-sand beach, spanning 14.7 kilometers, and has been designated as a flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone.
Additionally, Sunlight Air has bolstered connections from Cebu to Siargao, targeting international travelers who prefer a transit point in the Visayas over the capital.
To manage the increased complexity of these routes, the airport is utilizing “CEB Connects,” an air-to-air transfer service designed to reduce friction for transit passengers.
The system has shortened connection windows to 35 minutes for domestic transfers and 60 minutes for international-to-domestic links. Most inter-island flight times from the hub now average between 45 and 60 minutes.
Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp. took over operations of the Mactan-Cebu facility in October 2024. The company is currently segmenting its aviation portfolio by designating Cebu as its “connectivity hub,” while Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport are positioned as leisure and service hubs, respectively.
Modernization projects for the Bohol and Laguindingan facilities are slated to begin in 2025 under the supervision of the Department of Transportation.
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