The second largest and busiest airport in the Philippines just trailing behind the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is the main gateway to the Central Visayas. Often referred to as “Mactan Airport” or “Cebu Airport,” it is located on a 797-hectare site in Lapu-Lapu City in an island called Mactan, east of mainland Cebu.
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport caters to a rapidly growing passenger traffic composed of leisure tourists and business travelers. In 2022, it accommodated 5.6 million passengers, which is a whopping 409 percent increase from the previous year, according to airport management’s data.
It also serves as a hub for the country’s flagship carrier, Philippine Airlines, as well as low-cost airlines like Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. However, international airlines also dock here, such as Turkish Airlines, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and more.
The airport caters to direct international flights such as from Cebu going to Seoul in South Korea, Singapore, Istanbul in Türkiye, Taipei in Taiwan, and Hong Kong in China, among many others.
Meanwhile, domestic flights traveling from Cebu include those going to Boracay, Coron and Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Siargao, and Manila, among others.
MCIA has two terminals. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights, while Terminal 2 serves international flights.
Terminal 2 is more hip and modern. A Hong Kong-based architectural firm, Integrated Design Associations, beautifully designed Terminal 2 with European timber arches from Austria that look very much like an inverted boat hull, as well as with a wave-like roof that evokes the tropical and resort-like feel of the magnificent island of Cebu.
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport strives to become a world-class airport. This is why passengers waiting for their flights can also enjoy shopping and dining. There are shops for confectionery, fashion and accessories, jewelry and watches, liquor and tobacco, perfumery and cosmetics, souvenirs, toys, and essentials in a convenience store. Brands operating here include Duty Free Philippines, Bench, Island Souvenirs, and Watch Republic.
For those who want to fill up their stomachs and quench their thirsts, restaurants doing business range from fast-food chains to casual dining eateries, such as Jollibee, Lolo Pinoy Lechon de Cebu, Nippon Ramen, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Burger King, Jollibee, and so much more.
Additionally, the airport is also complete with facilities such as ATMs, comfort rooms, an immigration counter, trolleys, a baggage carousel, a tourist information counter, a money changer, and an information desk, to name a few.
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport opened during the mid-1960s but only for domestic flights. It was built to replace the decrepit Lahug Airport in Cebu City, which could no longer be expanded because of safety and physical problems. In its later years, the airport in Mactan eventually became the current Mactan-Cebu International Airport as travelers know it today.
