A major milestone in Philippine aviation governance has been achieved as Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) becomes the first airport in the country to join a key regional safety body under Airports Council International, strengthening its role in advancing global standards for operational safety.

MCIA has been formally included in the Asia Pacific and Middle East Regional Operational Safety Committee of Airports Council International (ACI), a platform that brings together leading airports to collaborate on safety policies, operational best practices, and resilience strategies across the aviation sector.

Network of major international gateways

The inclusion places MCIA among a network of major international gateways actively working to harmonize safety protocols and improve operational performance across two of the world’s busiest aviation regions. It also marks the airport’s growing involvement in shaping industry-wide discussions beyond domestic operations.

Airport officials said participation in the committee will allow MCIA to benchmark its systems against global counterparts while contributing insights from its own operational experience. The collaboration is also expected to strengthen responses to emerging aviation challenges, including risk management and safety innovation.

For passengers and airline partners, the development supports ongoing efforts to improve efficiency, reliability and safety standards at the airport, reinforcing confidence in MCIA as one of the country’s leading international gateways.

AIC’s airports business unit

MCIA is operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital through its airports business unit, which also manages other key regional airports across the Philippines.

The company said the recognition reflects its broader commitment to aligning local airport operations with international best practices and long-term infrastructure development goals.