Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) was recognized as the Airport of the Year in Asia at the 2025 TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards, following the reduction of its minimum connection time (MCT) to among the fastest in the region.
In a statement released Wednesday, MCIA operator Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) said the award recognizes the CEBConnects facility, which has lowered the domestic-to-domestic MCT to 35 minutes from 60 minutes, and the domestic-to-international, international-to-domestic, and international-to-international to 60 minutes.
“By strategically leveraging Cebu’s central geographical location, we are not just speeding up transfers; we are actively supporting the country’s tourism goals by making it easier for travelers to reach other island destinations. With this, the vacation experience actually begins the moment they arrive at MCIA,” ACAC chief executive officer Athanasios Titonis said.
To recall, Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. took over the MCIA in 2024, after acquiring the stake of Megawide Construction Corp. in GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) — which holds a 25-year concession to develop and maintain the MCIA — for P7.76 billion.
“The improvements driven by CEBConnects are a game-changer for airline operations and customer experience. The real-time benefits in on-time performance that we see enhances the transfer experience of our passengers who now find MCIA a highly competitive and reliable hub for regional travel,” Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) general manager and chief executive officer Julius Neri Jr. said.
MCIA serves 25 airline partners, with an average on-time performance rate of nearly 80%. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News