Highlighting how sustained collaboration between parties continues to transform the airport into an award-winning gateway that delivers better journeys for travelers.
Recently, officials from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines, led by Undersecretary and PPP Center Executive Director Rizza Blanco-Latorre, made a visit to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
The delegation was joined by representatives from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) and Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) as they toured MCIA’s passenger terminals, baggage handling facilities, immigration area, commercial spaces, and Operations Control Center.
The MCIA PPP, Project, which was implemented under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement, has since evolved from the original infrastructure investment with the continued collaboration between the AIC, Department of Transportation (DOTr) and MCIAA.
The private operator has introduced new investments and passenger-focused innovations that continue to improve the airport experience while strengthening operational efficiency and regional connectivity.
As part of its continued modernization efforts, Aboitiz InfraCapital has invested PHP231 million to introduce more sustainable, efficient, and passenger-focused airport improvements.
Over the past two years, these efforts have included the rollout of CEB Connects, enabling minimum connection times of just 35 minutes for domestic-to-domestic transfers and 60 minutes for international-to-domestic journeys.
The airport also introduced CEB Balik, a dedicated support program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) featuring an OFW Lounge and OFW Facilitation Center.
These facilities aim to provide comfortable waiting areas and convenient access to essential government services.
In 2024, MCIA became the first airport in the Philippines to deploy bridge-mounted equipment (BME) and electric ground support systems, allowing aircraft to use fixed electrical power and pre-conditioned air while at the gate—reducing aircraft emissions amd airline operating costs by 40 to 60 percent.
Together, these investments and innovations helped earn MCIAbdcome the Best Airport in Asia-Pacific (5–15 million passengers) Category at the 2025 Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality Awards.
The MCIA also served more than 6.4 million passengers during the first half of 2026, which is a 9.1% increase from the same period in 2025.
For Christopher Camba, Head of Corporate Affairs of Aboitiz InfraCapital, the visit underscored how sustained public-private collaboration continues to create lasting value for travelers.
“The success of Mactan-Cebu International Airport has always been rooted in partnership. Working closely with the Department of Transportation, MCIAA, the PPP Center, and our other government partners allows us to continually improve the airport in ways that matter most to passengers,” he said.
“Every enhancement—from operational upgrades to better passenger facilities—is part of a shared commitment to providing a safer, more efficient, and more welcoming gateway for the millions of travelers who pass through MCIA each year.“
Meanwhile, Executive Director Blanco-Latorre underscored how MCIA continues to demonstrate the value of well-executed PPPs. “I am confident that the Mactan-Cebu International Airport demonstrates how a PPP project can deliver meaningful results when it is properly structured, effectively managed, and closely monitored,” she told.
The official also said that the improvements have helped transform MCIA into a “world-class gateway” that supports Cebu and neighboring tourist and business destinations and create more opportunities in Central Visayas.
“Projects like this also strengthen investor confidence by demonstrating that PPP is a credible, transparent, and effective modality for delivering quality infrastructure and public services,” she furthered.
