MCIA welcomes 1.3M passengers in January 2026, highest record for a month in history

LAPULAPU CITY -- Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) sets all-time monthly passenger traffic record in January 2026 at 1.3M, marking a 15 percent increase compared to its 1.1 million passengers recorded during the same period in 2025 and the highest passenger traffic for a month recorded in history.

"This exceptional start to 2026 is a testament to the growing demand for Cebu as a global destination and a key transit hub.  Our strategic efforts to expand our network—bringing in new partners like Vietnam Airlines, Aero-K, Jetstar Airways and Firefly Airlines, and opening direct links to cities like Hanoi, Cheongju, Brisbane, and Macau—are bearing fruit,” said Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC).

The surge in passenger traffic reinforces the airport’s sustained demand for travel to Cebu, Titonis added that domestic traffic rose by 12 percent from its January 2025 traffic, while international traffic saw a remarkable 25 percent jump from the January 2025 traffic.

While the surge in passenger traffic can be attributed to the influx of tourists and returning Filipinos for the Sinulog festival, the opening of new international routes and the entry of new airline partners have significantly boosted connectivity, making Cebu more accessible to all passengers, Titonis added.

“We are committed to maintaining this momentum by ensuring that every passenger experiences the warmth and efficiency of MCIA,” Titonis said adding that in 2025, MCIA introduced eight new routes and welcomed new foreign-based airline partners such as Jetstar Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Firefly Airlines, and Aero-K.

Julius Neri, Jr., General Manager and CEO of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) expressed optimism that this upward trajectory continues as MCIA opens more doors to the world.  “These figures reflect the strong collaboration between the government and our private sector partners as the ideal entry point to the Philippines," Neri said.

In another development, MCIA officially receives Level 3 of the ACI Customer Experience Accreditation, advancing from our previous Level 2 recognition.  This achievement shows that MCIA is progressing from simply listening to passengers to actively engaging with them.  

At Level 3, MCIA improves customer experience by using passenger feedback, empowered staff, and expert teams to make lasting improvements. This means better experiences for passengers and a strong commitment to quality and service for our stakeholders.

Titonis added that MCIA continues to innovate with initiatives like CEBConnects, ensuring seamless transfers for the growing number of passengers utilizing Cebu as their hub.  He remains optimistic about sustaining this momentum, with more route launches and infrastructure enhancements in the pipeline for 2026.

“Your support makes this journey possible. We keep raising the bar for airport experience in the Philippines,” Titonis said. (Photos:MCIA)