Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has announced a major expansion of routes and airline partnerships, positioning Cebu as a stronger hub for travel in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region. The rollout, unveiled on Sept. 25, offers new domestic and international services from existing carriers along with fresh connections from new airline partners.
Dubbed the “Festival of Flights,” the event introduced upcoming routes that will increase Cebu’s links to key tourism markets and underserved destinations. The expansion features additional frequencies from Philippines AirAsia and Philippine Airlines, as well as new entries from Firefly Airlines and Jetstar Airways.
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New International and Domestic Links
The biggest highlight is Jetstar Airways’ Cebu–Brisbane service, launching Dec. 3 with three weekly flights. This will be the first direct link between Central Visayas and Queensland, Australia. Firefly Airlines will also debut in Cebu with five weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur starting Dec. 2.
AirAsia is set to expand regional options beginning Nov. 15, with twice-daily Cebu–Kuala Lumpur flights and thrice-weekly service to Macao. Domestically, the carrier will boost flights to Davao, Caticlan and Iloilo, while Philippine Airlines will roll out its new Cebu–Calbayog route on Oct. 26. These developments are expected to improve access for both leisure and business travelers while supporting local economies.
Athanasios Titonis, chief executive officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp., emphasized the milestone nature of the expansion.
“This significant expansion in our connectivity not only offers our passengers greater choice and convenience, but also directly aligns with our new CebConnects campaign,” Titonis said. “It is a testament to the collaborative effort of the entire airport community to provide a world-class travel experience and fuel the economic growth of the region.”
Boosting Cebu’s Role as a Regional Hub
The CebConnects campaign, launched during the event, promotes MCIA as a seamless transfer hub connecting Visayas and Mindanao to the wider ASEAN network. The airport authority said the campaign underscores Cebu’s strategic role in shaping the country’s aviation landscape.
Julius Neri Jr., general manager and CEO of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, highlighted the broader economic significance of the move.
“This expansion strengthens our air connectivity infrastructure, which is fundamental to the long-term economic resilience and growth of the Southern Philippines,” Neri said.
MCIA has already been recognized as one of the Asia-Pacific region’s top-performing airports, earning the 2024 award for Best Airport in Asia-Pacific (5 to 15 million passengers). With new flights rolling out from late October to December, Cebu is expected to see record connectivity just in time for the peak holiday travel season.
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