Skytrax ranks MCIA as 7th among world’s most improved airports

LAPULAPU CITY -- Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) ranked 7th among the World’s Most Improved Airports in the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards, putting MCIA in the company of global hubs highlighting the airport's efforts to enhance passenger experience, infrastructure and service excellence.

“This recognition is a testament to our commitment to continuous improvement. It also affirms our vision of positioning MCIA not just as a gateway, but as a world-class destination in itself,” Athanasios Titonis, CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation said, in his social media post.

The award is based on global passenger surveys evaluating 575 airports worldwide across 25 performance indicators, including service quality, terminal facilities, cleanliness, transport access, and retail offerings. The “Most Improved” category specifically recognizes airports that have demonstrated significant positive change over the past 12 months, Titonis shared.

Skytrax is the international gold standard for airport and airline excellence, known for its independent, passenger-driven reviews and global benchmarking. The award highlights MCIA’s growth as a world-class airport and shows Cebu’s growing importance on the global stage.

MCIA’s rise in the global rankings highlights major improvements at the airport that include a bigger terminal to serve more passengers; faster baggage handling; better transport access; and local flair with new shops that showcase Filipino products and culture and passenger-centric approach.

MCIA Authority General Manager Julius Neri Jr. attributes the recognition to the airport's strong commitment to putting customer experience at the forefront. These upgrades align with the airport’s broader mission to offer a seamless and uniquely Cebuano travel experience, combining world-class service with warm Filipino hospitality, he added.

This recognition comes on the heels of MCIA's earlier achievement as the Best Airport in Asia Pacific in the under five million passenger’s categories from the Airports Council International.  MCIA handles an average of 8 to 12 million passengers annually, solidifying its position as the second-busiest gateway in the Philippines, Neri said.

Titonis said that MCIA’s global recognition also casts a spotlight on Cebu’s broader ambition to become a premier destination for tourism, business, and investment. This milestone not only raises MCIA’s profile internationally but also reaffirms Cebu’s place as a critical hub driving national development and regional connectivity.

As MCIA pushes forward with major upgrades, its long-term goal is taking shape: to position itself as the Philippines’ premier Transfer and Transit Hub by linking international and domestic travelers across the country with greater ease and efficiency, Titonis stated. (Photos: MCIA-FB)