The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), managed by Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), has successfully facilitated over 500,000 passenger transfers through its CEB Connects facility. This milestone reflects a impressive 48% growth in passenger transfers since the program launched on April 2025. By consistently delivering an efficient and accessible transit facility, MCIA has firmly cemented its position as a major regional aviation hub.
CEB Connects has handled an exceptional volume of passengers spanning both domestic and international transfer operations. Specifically designed to enhance overall passenger convenience by eliminating self-transfers and the need to re-check baggage, the facility has enabled hundreds of thousands of seamless connections. It has maintained a strong average utilization rate of 73% across both domestic and international transfers. The program operates with highly efficient Minimum Connecting Times (MCT) set at just 35 minutes for domestic flights and 60 minutes for international flights. This high utilization rate underscores the overall operational success of the initiative, demonstrating that an even greater volume of passengers can be comfortably accommodated within the specified MCT while ensuring travelers spend less time dealing with transit hurdles and more time enjoying airport facilities and amenities.
“The strong adoption of CEB Connects shows that modern travelers demand efficiency, speed, and absolute peace of mind when choosing a layover hub. 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. 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,” according to Ricia Montejo, General Manager for Mactan-Cebu International Airport at Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC).
The rapid growth of the transfer service has been directly supported by a strategic expansion of participating airline partners. Home carriers Philippine Airlines (PR) and Cebu Pacific (5J) pioneered the service by activating International-to-Domestic transfers on 07 April 2025, before launching Domestic-to-International transfers on 11 June 2025. Recognizing the immense value of the program, Singapore Airlines (SQ) fully activated both transfer paths on 15 September 2025, followed closely by AirAsia Philippines (Z2) on 15 November 2025.
MCIA further expanded its global reach by integrating major international long-haul carriers, onboarding China Airlines (CI) on 30 April 2026, and Emirates (EK) on 26 May 2026, for both International-to-Domestic and Domestic-to-International transfers. This robust network ensures that passengers arriving from the Middle East, North Asia, and other international origins can transition flawlessly to the top island destinations across the Philippines. By continually refining transfer processing times and growing its network of world-class airline partners, MCIA remains steadfast in its vision to deliver a smooth, vibrant, and globally competitive journey for every passenger passing through Cebu.