MCIA hits over half-million transfers with CEB Connects

CEBU, Philippines — Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has processed more than 500,000 passenger transfers through its CEB Connects facility, a 48 percent increase since the service was introduced in April 2025, as the airport expands its role as a gateway linking international travelers with destinations across the Philippines.

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.

The facility has recorded an average utilization rate of 73 percent across domestic and international transfers. Minimum connection times are set at 35 minutes for domestic flights and 60 minutes for international connections.

“The strong adoption of CEB Connects shows that modern travelers demand efficiency, speed and absolute peace of mind when choosing a layover hub,” Ricia Montejo, general manager of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, said in a statement.

The airport has expanded the service by adding more airline partners since its launch. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific began offering international-to-domestic transfers on April 7, 2025, followed by domestic-to-international connections on June 11.

Singapore Airlines activated both transfer services on Sept. 15, 2025, while AirAsia Philippines followed on Nov. 15. China Airlines and Emirates were added in April and May this year, respectively.

The growing airline network is strengthening Cebu’s role as a connecting hub for passengers traveling from the Middle East, North Asia and other international markets to destinations across the Philippines, particularly the country’s major island tourism centers.

For Aboitiz InfraCapital, which manages the airport, the expansion also highlights efforts to improve the commercial value of Cebu as an aviation gateway by increasing passenger flows and making connecting flights more competitive.

Montejo said the airport’s transfer model was developed with government agencies including the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Office for Transportation Security and Bureau of Quarantine to streamline processing and reduce connection times.

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.