Mactan-Cebu International Airport Surpasses 500,000 CEB Connects Transfers

Mactan-Cebu International Airport has surpassed 500,000 passenger transfers through its CEB Connects facility, marking a 48 percent increase in traffic since the service launched in April 2025. The milestone highlights growing demand for faster layovers and streamlined baggage handling across domestic and international connections.

Expansion of the CEB Connects Transfer Facility at MCIA

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has reached a major operational milestone by processing more than half a million passenger transfers through its CEB Connects facility. Operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation, the facility is designed to eliminate the need for eligible passengers to navigate separate self-transfer procedures or re-check baggage when making domestic and international connections. CEB Connects is making transfers through Mactan-Cebu International Airport more seamless, posting a 73 percent average utilization rate across domestic and international connections while reducing self-transfers and baggage re-checking.

The service has recorded an average utilization rate of 73 percent across both domestic and international transfer routes. MCIA has set minimum connecting times at 35 minutes for domestic flights and 60 minutes for international flights. The strong adoption of CEB Connects shows that modern travelers demand efficiency, speed, and absolute peace of mind when choosing a layover hub, Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation general manager for Mactan-Cebu International Airport Ricia Montejo said in a press statement.

Government Collaboration and Operational Agility

Achieving these turnaround times requires close coordination between airport management and front-line regulatory bodies. Through close collaboration with our key government partners, such as the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Office for Transportation Security, and Bureau of Quarantine, we have established an agile operational model, said Montejo.

“By drastically shortening transfer times and removing the need to re-check baggage, we are delivering true operational excellence that seamlessly links all types of travelers to the heart of the Philippines while showcasing our signature Cebuano hospitality from the moment they land,” Ricia Montejo added. The program, operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp., aims to make transfers faster by allowing eligible passengers to connect between domestic and international flights without going through a full self-transfer process and rechecking their baggage.

Growing Airline Network and Regional Reach

The expansion of CEB Connects has moved in tandem with a broader airline network rollout at MCIA. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific were the first carriers to activate international-to-domestic transfers on April 7, 2025, followed by domestic-to-international connections on June 11 of that year.

MCIA transfer passengers surpass 500,000 — Photo: tribune.net.ph

Participation widened as international carriers integrated into the system. Singapore Airlines activated both transfer routes on September 15, 2025, while AirAsia Philippines joined on November 15. The network grew further in 2026 with the addition of China Airlines on April 30 and Emirates on May 26 for international-to-domestic and domestic-to-international transfers.

Airline Partner	Transfer Activation Date	Supported Routes
Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific	April 7, 2025 (Intl-to-Domestic) / June 11, 2025 (Domestic-to-Intl)	Domestic and International
Singapore Airlines	September 15, 2025	Domestic and International
AirAsia Philippines	November 15, 2025	Domestic and International
China Airlines	April 30, 2026	Domestic and International
Emirates	May 26, 2026	Domestic and International

Positioning Cebu as a Premier International Gateway

The steady climb in passenger volume reinforces Cebu’s role as a connecting hub for travelers arriving from North Asia, the Middle East, and other global markets. By easing connections to destinations across the Philippines, particularly key island tourism centers, the airport is capturing a larger share of regional transit traffic and strengthening Cebu’s role as a gateway linking international travelers with destinations across the Philippines.

For Aboitiz InfraCapital, which manages the airport, these infrastructure improvements are tied directly to improving the commercial value of Cebu as an aviation gateway by increasing passenger flows and making connecting flights more competitive. With more than half a million transfers processed and airline participation expanding, MCIA is betting that a faster connection process can help it capture a larger share of regional passenger traffic and position Cebu as an alternative transit hub in the Philippines.

Future Processing Refinements and Network Targets

Airport officials intend to build on the half-million-passenger milestone by continuing to refine transfer processing times and expanding participating airlines. MCIA said it will continue refining transfer processing times and expanding participating airlines as it seeks to strengthen its position as a regional transfer gateway supporting tourism and economic growth.