Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has facilitated more than 500,000 passenger transfers through its CEB Connects facility since its launch in April 2025, with transfers growing 48 percent as more airlines join the service.
Managed by Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), the facility has recorded an average utilization rate of 73 percent across domestic and international transfers, highlighting growing demand for faster, more convenient connections.
CEB Connects allows passengers to transfer between participating domestic and international flights without the usual hassle of self-transfers and baggage re-checks.
The facility operates with a minimum connecting time of 35 minutes for domestic transfers and 60 minutes for international transfers, allowing passengers to move between flights more efficiently while spending less time in transit.
“The strong adoption of CEB Connects shows that modern travelers demand efficiency, speed, and absolute peace of mind when choosing a layover hub,” said Ricia Montejo, general manager for MCIA at ACAC.
Montejo said coordination with the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Office for Transportation Security, and Bureau of Quarantine has helped MCIA establish an operational model that shortens transfer times and eliminates the need for baggage re-checks.
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific pioneered the service, activating international-to-domestic transfers on April 7, 2025, followed by domestic-to-international transfers on June 11.
Singapore Airlines activated both transfer routes on Sept. 15, 2025, while AirAsia Philippines followed on Nov. 15.
MCIA further expanded the network this year with China Airlines joining on April 30 and Emirates on May 26, both supporting international-to-domestic and domestic-to-international transfers.
The expanded roster gives travelers arriving from the Middle East, North Asia, and other markets easier connections to destinations across the Philippines.
The rising use of CEB Connects reinforces Cebu’s role as a transfer hub while giving passengers a quicker way to move through the airport and on to their final destinations.
