Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has been named Airport of the Year – Asia at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025, held on November 25 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

The recognition highlights MCIA’s efforts to deliver the most efficient and seamless transfer experience in the Philippines through its CEBConnects initiative. The airport, branded as the country’s premier tourism transfer hub, has undergone major redesigns in passenger flow and infrastructure to strengthen air-to-air transfers.

CEBConnects introduced dedicated transfer facilities and streamlined processes that significantly reduced MCIA’s Minimum Connection Time (MCT):

• Domestic to Domestic: from 60 minutes to 35 minutes

• Domestic to International, International to Domestic, and International to International: from 90 minutes to 60 minutes

MCIA said the improvements have already led to a 45% surge in transfer passenger volume year on year, reinforcing its role as a key access point for travelers bound for Philippine destinations across the archipelago.

"This award is a testament to the dedication of the entire MCIA community and the success of CEBConnects," said Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC). "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."

Apart from facilitating faster transfers, the enhanced process gives passengers more time to enjoy MCIA’s retail and dining options.

"The improvements driven by CEBConnects are a game-changer for airline operations and customer experience," said Julius G. Neri Jr., General Manager and CEO of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA). "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."

MCIA currently serves 25 airline partners, backed by a robust point-to-point network and an average on-time performance rate of nearly 80%. The airport continues to expand connectivity through joint route marketing and global promotions.

With the success of CEBConnects, MCIA seeks to further strengthen its position as a leading transfer hub and reinforce its status as the Philippines’ gateway to the world.