How Aboitiz InfraCapital and Government PPPs Are Transforming Philippine Aviation and Regional Airport Infrastructure

Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) and Philippine transport authorities have achieved major international aviation benchmarks for Mactan-Cebu International Airport, advancing the gateway to Level 3 in ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation and reinforcing the public-private partnership model across the nation's regional airport network. The milestone highlights how coordinated private investment and government stewardship are modernizing regional air travel, reducing connection times, and cutting carbon emissions.

The twin recognitions from Airports Council International (ACI)—which also named Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) among the Best Airports in Asia-Pacific in the 5–15 million passenger category for the second straight year—reflect structural improvements implemented since ACAC assumed private management of the facility in 2024.

The PPP Synergy Driving Philippine Airport Modernization

The rapid evolution of MCIA is anchored in a structured collaboration between the private operator ACAC and the public sector, led by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

By uniting state regulatory oversight with private capital and operational agility, the partnership allows Philippine airports to upgrade infrastructure without placing long-term fiscal burdens on taxpayers.

"Our focus has been on making investments and improvements that create a better airport experience—from infrastructure and technology to operations and connectivity," said Rafael M. Aboitiz, Vice-President and Head of Airports at Aboitiz InfraCapital. "The goal is to translate these efforts into a safer, more efficient, and more connected journey for every passenger who passes through MCIA."

Ricia Montejo, General Manager of ACAC, highlighted that global accreditation validates the team's operational momentum: "These recognitions affirm that the improvements ACAC has made are being felt by our passengers and recognized against global standards. With the continued support of MCIAA, DOTr, CAAP, and our airport community, we will continue advancing MCIA as a world-class gateway for Cebu and the Philippines."

Performance Metrics and Infrastructure Achievements

The public-private partnership has delivered measurable operational enhancements across transit efficiency, passenger satisfaction, sustainability, and aviation safety protocols.

Operational Benchmark	Level / Achievement	Strategic Impact on Travelers
ACI ASQ Awards (2025–2026)	Best Airport (5–15M Pax, Asia-Pacific)	Top passenger ratings across 50+ service touchpoints
Customer Experience Accreditation	Level 3 (Advanced Implementation)	Standardized service delivery and real-time staff alignment
Transit Efficiency (CEB Connects)	500,000+ Transfers Processed	35-min domestic MCT; 60-min international layover MCT
Airport Carbon Accreditation	Level 2 (Certified August 2026)	1.64 MWp rooftop solar installation & smart sensors
Skytrax Global Ranking	7th Most Improved Airport (2025)	Comprehensive upgrade in terminal amenities and comfort
Aviation Safety Leadership	ACI Regional Safety Committee Member	First Philippine airport seated on regional safety board

Operationalizing CEB Connects and Rapid Air Transfers

A standout success of the private-sector management has been the rollout of the CEB Connects transfer framework. Launched in April 2025, the facility re-engineered passenger flows, baggage handling, and security screening protocols to establish Cebu as a friction-free air transit hub.

• Minimum Connecting Times (MCT): Slashed domestic-to-domestic transfer windows to 35 minutes, while international-to-domestic, domestic-to-international, and international-to-international connection times are capped at 60 minutes.
• Direct Terminal Transfers: Passengers avoid the hassle of retrieving checked luggage or repeating customs checkpoints outside security zones when transferring between domestic island routes and long-haul flights.
• Network Throughput: Facilitated more than half a million passengers, establishing MCIA as a viable congestion-free alternative to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL).

Sustainability and Regional Airport Expansion

In August 2026, MCIA achieved Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation from ACI, driven by aggressive decarbonization programs. The airport deployed a 1.64 MWp rooftop solar photovoltaic array, LED terminal lighting retrofits, smart climate control sensors, and optimized ground support vehicle fuel management.

Beyond Cebu, parent company Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) is expanding this operational blueprint across its growing airport portfolio:

1. Laguindingan International Airport (CGY): Serving Northern Mindanao as the country's seventh-busiest airport, undergoing modernization under a 30-year PPP concession.
2. Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG): Operating the country's tenth-busiest gateway and premier eco-tourism airport in the Visayas.
3. Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB): Serving as the flagship regional hub connecting the central Philippines to key global markets in Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

Travelers can explore flight schedules, airline partners, and terminal facilities directly through the official Mactan-Cebu International Airport portal.

What This Means for Domestic and International Travelers

The expansion of private airport management in the Philippines provides practical advantages for leisure tourists and business travelers:

• Bypass Manila Layover Delays: Connecting through Cebu, Bohol, or Northern Mindanao significantly reduces tarmac delays, missed connections, and terminal transfer bottlenecks.
• Faster Island Hopping: Tourists flying from Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, or Sydney can connect to Siargao, Palawan, Camiguin, or Boracay within 35 to 60 minutes of landing in Cebu.
• Upgraded Terminal Comfort: Passengers benefit from faster automated immigration lanes, expanded dining selections, upgraded family lounges, and high-speed Wi-Fi infrastructure.

FAQ: Philippine Airport PPPs and MCIA Upgrades 2026

What does ACI Level 3 Customer Experience Accreditation mean for passengers? Level 3 accreditation signifies that an airport has moved beyond basic customer service planning into comprehensive operational execution, ensuring high service consistency, rapid dispute resolution, and well-trained staff across all passenger touchpoints.

How does CEB Connects reduce transfer times at Mactan-Cebu Airport? CEB Connects provides dedicated airside transfer corridors and automated baggage transfers, cutting domestic transfer times to 35 minutes and international-to-domestic connections to 60 minutes without requiring baggage re-check.

Which airports are managed under Aboitiz InfraCapital's aviation portfolio? Aboitiz InfraCapital operates Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB), Laguindingan International Airport (CGY) in Misamis Oriental, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG) in Bohol.

What eco-friendly measures are in place at Mactan-Cebu International Airport? MCIA features a 1.64 MWp rooftop solar array, smart HVAC sensors, energy-efficient LED terminal lighting, and Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation from Airports Council International.

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