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Officials from the Public-Private Partnership Center, MCIAA, and Aboitiz InfraCapital conduct a walkthrough of Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
The public-private partnership behind Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is driving improvements in passenger services, airport efficiency and regional connectivity as traffic through the country’s key gateway continues to grow.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center Executive Director Rizza Blanco-Latorre recently led officials in inspecting MCIA’s terminals, baggage handling facilities, immigration area and Operations Control Center with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) and Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), the airport’s private-sector partner.
Under its Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement, AIC has introduced passenger-focused services, including CEB Connects, which cuts minimum connection times to 35 minutes for domestic transfers and 60 minutes for international-to-domestic journeys.
The airport also launched CEB Balik, providing overseas Filipino workers with an OFW Lounge and Facilitation Center for more convenient access to essential services.
AIC has invested P231 million in upgrades, including bridge-mounted equipment and electric ground support systems that allow aircraft to use fixed power and pre-conditioned air at the gate. The system reduces emissions and cuts airline operating costs by 40 percent to 60 percent.
The improvements helped MCIA win Best Airport in Asia-Pacific for airports handling 5 million to 15 million passengers at the 2025 Airports Council International Airport Service Quality Awards.
MCIA handled more than 6.4 million passengers in the first half of 2026, up 9.1 percent year-on-year, underscoring its growing role in tourism, business and regional connectivity.
AIC head of corporate affairs Christopher Camba said the gains were the result of sustained cooperation with the government.
“The success of Mactan-Cebu International Airport has always been rooted in partnership,” Camba said.
Blanco-Latorre said MCIA demonstrates how properly structured and managed PPPs can deliver tangible improvements in public infrastructure and services, while strengthening Cebu’s position as a gateway for tourism and business.
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
