NATION

MCIA logs 9.1% passenger growth

Rico Mirasol · Aug 4, 2026, 12:43 AM

The Mactan Cebu International Airport, is one of Aboitiz Infracapital Corporation’s major projects in dynamic Cebu. Operated by AIC, through its subsidiary, Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation since 2024, MCIA was recently named Asia-Pacific’s Best Airport in the 5-to-15 million Passengers Per Annum Category by Airports Council International. — Photograph courtesy of Airport World

Passenger traffic and flight movements at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) grew 9.1 percent during the first six months of 2026, driven by a surge in international travelers despite broader declines in travel demand, airport officials said Monday.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority disclosed that it handled 6,467,538 passengers from January to June 2026, up from 5,926,929 during the same period in 2025.

The increase represents an additional 540,000 travelers.

Flight movements also rose 10 percent, with 54,682 domestic and international flights recorded compared to 49,728 in 2025.

International passenger volume led the expansion, growing 18.4 percent — nearly three times the 6.1 percent growth rate recorded on domestic routes.

International flight movements similarly climbed 16.2 percent, nearly double the 8.5 percent increase seen in domestic flights.

The figures suggest that efforts by the airport to expand international connectivity are gaining stronger momentum than domestic demand.