Building on a foundation of shared heritage and the recent successful resumption of direct air connectivity.
In a new disclosure sent to Trendrod by Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports, it revealed that last June 2 and 3, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport held a Cooperation Signing Ceremony in Fujian, China.
During which, both airports, together with Chinese carrier Xiamen Airlines, established a formal quarterly collaboration and exchange working committee, which stemmed from the proposal presented by Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports Chief Executive Officer Athanasios Titonis during a strategic meeting with Jinjiang government officials and airport leaders, including Party Secretary Jianfeng Huang.
The strategic partnership aims to maximize the recent resumption of Xiamen Air’s direct flights between Cebu and Quanzhou, which officially launched last March.
Titonis emphasized before the delegation the deep historical ties connecting the two regions, noting how these enduring ties were formally recognized when Cebu and Fujian established a sister-province relationship in 2018 to foster cooperation in tourism, culture, trade, and economic development.
“The relationship between the Philippines and China has long been shaped by trade, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections,” said Titonis.
He noted that one of the strongest examples of their collaboration is the partnership between Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport, and the resumption of flights by Xiamen Airlines to Cebu just last March. Even during periods of uncertainty, including rising fuel costs and other industry headwinds, we have continued to work together to sustain connectivity, support tourism, and create opportunities for our communities.”
Through the structured quarterly exchange working committee was established between MCIA, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport, and Xiamen Airlines, leadership and operational teams from both airports and the airline will regularly share insights, monitor progress, and explore joint initiatives.
The collaboration will focus on several critical areas of modern aviation, specifically technological innovation, commercial and route development, and operational resilience.
All sides will share best practices in leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize operational efficiency and elevate the passenger experience.
They will also identify new opportunities to stimulate tourism, encourage bilateral investment, and support regional economic growth.
The partners will also strengthen safety, security, and sustainable growth mechanisms amidst shifting global market conditions.
Aboitiz InfraCapital also said that yne partnership “demonstrates that resilience is not built by any single organization, but it is built through trust, shared commitment, and a common belief in the long-term value of connecting people and places.”
Mactan–Cebu International Airport is fully owned and managed by Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), the infrastructure investment platform of the Aboitiz Group founded in 2015.
It is positioned as the Philippines’ premier transfer gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao, serving as a vital engine for regional tourism and economic growth, with the firm operating critical assets across airports, water and wastewater, and digital infrastructure.
It has a seamless transfer system through Ceb Connects and the Ceb+ integrated air-to-sea travel network.
It is also the first airport in the Philippines to utilize parallel runways and has been named Best Airport in Asia-Pacific (5–15 mppa) at the 2024 ASQ Awards, with other accolades including a Platinum Green Airport status, Level 1 Accessibility Accreditation, and Airport of the Year in Asia at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025.