MCIA braces for summer travel rush as airlines add Cebu flights
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is preparing for a summer travel rush as major carriers add flights from Cebu to domestic destinations, airport operator Aboitiz InfraCapital said.
Cebu Pacific will add 33 weekly flights from MCIA starting March 29, increasing service to Bacolod City, Boracay via Caticlan, Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Clark, Dumaguete City, Iloilo, Tacloban City and El Nido.
By mid-June, the airline said it expects weekly frequencies to reach as many as 23 flights to Butuan City and 17 to Bacolod City.
The Gokongwei-led carrier said it now serves 31 direct routes from Cebu and has a domestic network spanning 35 destinations.
AirAsia Philippines has also expanded its Cebu operations, with direct flights from Cebu to Davao, Iloilo and Caticlan.
The low-cost carrier now operates 18 weekly flights on the Cebu-Davao-Cebu route. It also scheduled earlier morning departures to Iloilo, between 6:30 a.m. and 7:55 a.m., and afternoon flights to Caticlan from 4:05 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.
These flight additions come ahead of peak summer travel demand, with carriers increasing service from Cebu to island and regional destinations.
Aboitiz InfraCapital is positioning MCIA to capture part of the expected demand surge, pitching the airport as a transfer point for passengers bound for destinations across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
“MCIA is fast becoming the Philippines’ most efficient and accessible transfer hub,” said Rafael Aboitiz, vice president and head of airports at Aboitiz InfraCapital. “Through our growing network and strong airline partnerships, we are making it easier for travelers to connect across the archipelago.”
MCIA is the country’s second-busiest airport, having accommodated 11.6 million passengers in 2025. It is part of Aboitiz InfraCapital’s airport portfolio, which also includes Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport.
The increase in flights at MCIA also comes despite the aviation industry facing rising fuel costs linked to the Iran war.
Last week, the Civil Aeronautics Board approved a Level 8 fuel surcharge for April 1 to 15.
This means passengers booking domestic flights during that period will pay an additional P253 to P787, while international passengers will be charged P835.05 to P6,208.98 on top of the base airfare.
