Mactan-Cebu Airport Aims to Become Major Transfer Hub
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) is positioning itself to become a significant transfer hub in the Philippines following Aboitiz InfraCapital’s recent acquisition of the airport operator. Speaking at the Super Terminal Expo conference in Hong Kong, CEO Athanasios Titonis outlined the airport’s ambitious goal to increase transfer traffic to between 20-25% over the next three years as part of its strategic growth plan.
In 2023, CEB handled around 10 million passengers and anticipates a rise to approximately 11.5 million this year, inching closer to the pre-pandemic record of 12.6 million passengers achieved in 2019. “We have just begun implementing domestic-to-domestic connections and will launch international-to-domestic connections by next summer,” Titonis stated, highlighting the airport’s unique position as the geographical center of the Philippines, despite not being its economic hub. CEB is currently connected to 28 domestic destinations and sees significant potential for developing a robust transfer product.
Titonis forecasts that transfer traffic could exceed 3 million passengers annually within three years, a marked increase from the current negligible levels of self-transfer passengers. This expansion aligns with Aboitiz InfraCapital’s full acquisition of Aboitiz GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation, which occurred in late October, following an initial 33.3% stake purchase two years prior.
Since joining CEB in April 2023, Titonis, previously CEO of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in the UAE, has emphasized the importance of increased investment in infrastructure. A comprehensive review of the airport’s current capacity and processes is underway to identify efficiency improvements, including potential terminal expansions and better connectivity between terminals.
In addition to boosting transfer traffic, CEB is focused on expanding its international reach, aiming to recover capacity to key markets such as South Korea and Japan, while also establishing new routes to Australia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The recent introduction of an e-visa for Indian travelers by the Filipino government is expected to significantly enhance traffic from India.
Titonis also noted untapped opportunities in the Middle East, where many Filipino migrant workers reside, suggesting that the introduction of the Airbus A321XLR could be instrumental in unlocking new destinations from this region in the coming years.
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