Commercial operations started on April 27, 1966[5] for domestic flights. It replaced the now closed Lahug Airport (now the site of Cebu IT Park) which could no longer be expanded due to safety and physical problems. International charter flights later commenced in 1978.[6]
On July 31, 1990, Republic Act No. 6958 was approved, which created and established the Mactan–Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA). The law transferred the existing assets and operations of Mactan–Cebu International Airport and Lahug Airport to the newly created MCIAA.[7]
Expansion
Plans for a new terminal were laid as early as 2005, but the expansion of the existing terminal was instead pursued. By 2009, the airport handled 4.8 million passengers, way beyond the capacity of 4.5 million. By 2017, the airport handled more than ten million passengers.[6]
The expansion of the airport was included on the list of big-ticket public-private partnership (PPP) projects as part of the PPP infrastructure program that was launched in 2010. Bidding was opened in 2012.[6] On April 23, 2014, the Department of Transportation and Communications awarded the operations and maintenance of MCIA to a consortium of the Philippine Megawide Construction Corporation and Bangalore-based GMR Infrastructure. The consortium won with a bid of ₱17.5 billion. MCIAA handed over the operations and maintenance of the airport to the private consortium on November 1, 2014.[8][9][10]
On June 29, 2015, President Benigno Aquino III led the ground-breaking rites at the site of the old Philippine Air Force base in Lapu-Lapu City which had been demolished to give way for the Terminal 2 construction.[11] Construction of Terminal 2 began on January 22, 2016.[12] On June 7, 2018, Terminal 2 was inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte,[13][14] with the terminal being operational on July 1.
On May 5, 2021, the airport's second taxiway and expanded apron was inaugurated.[15]
Contemporary history
Following Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), one of the biggest typhoons ever recorded and one of the most destructive typhoons in the Philippines, the airport was used as a center for air operations for the relief effort. The airport is centrally located in the Visayas which was the region most affected by the storm, especially the Eastern Visayas islands of Leyte and Samar. The Cebu airport was relatively unaffected by the storm while the airports of the Eastern Visayas were unusable immediately after.[16]
On November 12, 2013, the world's longest and heaviest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, landed at MCIA from the Zagreb International Airport in Croatia for the first time in the Philippines. It delivered a 180-ton replacement transformer from the Croatian energy company KONČAR for the First Gen Corporation's power plant in Batangas City. Officials of First Gen approached MCIAA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete to allow the Antonov An-225 to utilize the airport for the transportation of their delivery after officials from Clark International Airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, and Subic Bay International Airport refused to allow the aircraft to utilize their airports.[17] According to First Gen President Francis Giles Puno, MCIA had been inspected by Antonov Airlines, the owner of the Antonov An-225 aircraft, as the most viable option for their aircraft, "after considering the combination of airport, onward land transport and sea freight."[18]
On December 16, 2021, the airport was closed indefinitely after sustaining heavy damage from Typhoon Rai (Odette) before resuming operations on December 19 under a new layout that integrates both terminals together since the domestic terminal sustained the most damage, while the international terminal only suffered minor damage.[21]
On September 2, 2022, Aboitiz purchased a 33.33% stake on GMR–Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation for ₱25 billion. In turn, GMR–Megawide issued ₱15 billion worth of exchangeable bonds in exchange for the remaining shares in GMCAC.[22] On October 30, 2024, it fully acquired GMCAC for ₱7.76 billion, thereby completely taking over the operations of MCIA.[23]
Future development
On May 22, 2017, Mactan–Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) passed a resolution approving the proposal to start the construction of a second runway, which was proposed by Rep. Raul del Mar of Cebu. Del Mar proposed that the construction of the second runway be funded using P4.9- billion sourced from the P14.4 billion premium given by the GMCAC when it won the bid to develop and manage the MCIA terminal. Once completed, the second runway will be adjacent to the existing first runway and will enable simultaneous runway operations.[24]
The groundbreaking ceremony of the second runway was held on January 14, 2020.[25]
Structures and facilities
Terminals
Mactan–Cebu International Airport has two passenger terminals, with plans laid in 2019 for another terminal.[26]
Passenger terminal infrastructure
Terminal
Opened
Floor area
Handling capacity
Parking bays
Terminal 1
1990
38,525 m2 (414,680 sq ft)
11.7 million passengers per year
6 (aerobridge) 12 (remote)
Terminal 2
July 1, 2018
65,500 m2 (705,000 sq ft)
8 million passengers per year
7 (aerobridge) 5 (remote)
Total
—
104,025 m2 (1,119,720 sq ft)
19.7 million passengers per year
13 (aerobridge) 17 (remote)
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 in 2018
Terminal 1, which was built in 1990, serves as the airport's domestic terminal. Prior to the completion and opening of Terminal 2, it housed both domestic and international operations and prior to its expansion, had an annual capacity of 4.5 million passengers,[27] before being increased to eight million following minor renovations from 2015 to 2016.[28]
The terminal has a floor area of 38,525 square meters (414,680 sq ft). It has six jet bridges and twelve remote parking spaces for aircraft. There are six baggage conveyor belts in the baggage claim area.[27]
GMR–Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation announced a two-phase renovation of Terminal 1 in December 2018 as part of its ₱17 billion investment to improve the terminals.[28] The renovation involved the expansion of the pre-departure area and improved flight information displays.[27] Manila-based architectural firm Budji + Royal Architecture + Design handled the terminal renovation, which was based on a resort-type design. One of its features is the Airport Village, which merges the arrival and departure areas to allow passengers to mingle within the airport. To facilitate its construction, the arrivals road was permanently closed. Renovations began in March 2019.[29] President Rodrigo Duterte inaugurated the newly rehabilitated Terminal 1 on January 19, 2020, increasing its capacity to 11.7 million passengers.[30]
Terminal 2
Interior of Terminal 2 in 2019Exterior of Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is the newest airport terminal and has an annual capacity of eight million passengers.[31] Construction began on January 22, 2016, and was inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 7, 2018, before opening to passengers on July 1.[13]
Integrated Design Associates designed the terminal with European timber arches from Austria that look like an inverted boat hull, and a wave-like roof that evokes a tropical and resort-like feel.[32] It represents the sea waves that surrounds the island of Cebu. Terminal 2 won an award for the category "Completed Buildings – Transport" at the World Architecture Festival in 2019.[33][34]
Occupying an area of 65,500 square meters (705,000 sq ft), the terminal has four check-in halls with 48 check-in counters in the departures area expandable to 72, seven jet bridges expandable to 12, 12 escalators, 15 elevators, duty-free shops, and a departure lobby.[27] The terminal's modular design allows for progressive expansion, with a fundamental building block structured for maximum adaptability to future development. Terminal 2 is exclusive only for international flights. However, due to the aftermath of Typhoon Odette, it was used for both domestic and international flights from January 16, 2022, until most parts of Terminal 1 were fully repaired by June.[35][36][37]
Runways
The airport has a 3,310-meter (10,860 ft) main runway (Runway 04/22) with a width of 45 meters (148 ft) that was built by the United States in 1956 as an emergency airport for U.S. Air Forces' Strategic Air Command bombers and was known as Mactan Air Base.[4] The runway is complemented by a full-length taxiway that it shares with the current Mactan Air Base of the Philippine Air Force.
The second runway (Runway 04L/22R) started construction in January 2020.[25] It is 2,560 meters (8,400 ft) long and 45 meters (148 ft) wide.[38] It was completed in January 2024, but remained closed. The said runway is planned to be used in case the main runway (04/22) is closed.[39][40][41] President Bongbong Marcos inaugurated the runway in January 2025. MCIA's joint runways are the Philippines' only set of parallel runways since Clark International Airport decommissioned its second runway in 2017.[42][43]
Other structures
The airport has other government buildings like the two-level CAAP Administration Building and the six-level MCIAA Corporate Building, located within the airport complex.[15][44] The parking area outside the terminals has a total capacity of 750 cars.[27]
^Emirates flights make an intermediate stop in Clark en route to the listed destination. However, the airline has no cabotage rights to carry passengers solely between Cebu and Clark.
^Qatar Airways flights make an intermediate stop in Davao en route to the listed destination. However, the airline has no cabotage rights to carry passengers solely between Cebu and Davao.
^Turkish Airlines flights make an intermediate stop in Manila en route to the listed destination. However, the airline has no cabotage rights to carry passengers solely between Cebu and Manila.
^United Airlines flights continue to Los Angeles with the same flight number. However, there is an aircraft swap at the listed destination, switching from a Boeing 737 to a Boeing 787.
Terminal 1's former departure waiting areaFormer exterior of Terminal 1
Data from the Mactan–Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).[2][59]
Year
Passenger movements
Aircraft movements
Cargo movements (in kg)
Domestic
International
Total
% change
Domestic
International
Total
% change
Domestic
International
Total
% change
1991
1,401,671
57,988
1,459,659
22,495
786
23,281
22,704,044
577,966
23,282,010
1992
1,592,173
97,842
1,690,015
15.78
22,638
919
23,557
1.19
24,157,026
1,914,630
26,071,656
11.98
1993
1,635,779
172,966
1,808,745
7.03
18,401
1,508
19,909
15.49
28,782,759
739,662
29,522,421
13.24
1994
1,714,104
244,602
1,958,706
8.29
18,191
2,109
20,300
1.96
35,487,442
1,106,365
36,593,807
23.95
1995
1,841,904
307,203
2,149,107
9.72%
18,854
2,565
21,419
5.51
34,094,876
6,837,271
40,932,147
11.86
1996
2,047,966
354,818
2,402,784
11.80
21,136
3,079
24,215
13.05
38,506,657
10,862,813
49,369,470
20.61
1997
2,331,431
387,190
2,718,621
13.14
23,537
3,398
26,935
11.23
40,635,709
12,082,148
52,717,857
6.78
1998
1,759,141
312,663
2,071,804
23.79
18,281
3,022
21,303
20.91
28,087,092
18,598,134
46,685,226
11.44
1999
1,912,107
384,047
2,296,154
10.83
21,936
3,986
25,922
21.68
26,458,875
19,189,755
45,648,630
2.22
2000
1,889,114
403,735
2,292,849
0.14
20,691
3,509
24,200
6.64
34,271,494
22,326,355
56,597,849
23.99
2001
1,855,363
397,370
2,252,733
1.75
24,304
4,140
28,444
17.54
32,985,484
19,712,628
52,698,112
6.89
2002
1,709,259
425,957
2,135,216
5.22
24,366
3,601
27,967
1.68
26,603,917
19,840,629
46,444,546
11.87
2003
1,850,453
422,329
2,272,782
6.44
24,488
3,886
28,374
1.46
30,048,371
19,428,129
49,476,500
6.53
2004
2,033,556
578,206
2,611,762
14.91
23,837
4,261
28,098
0.97
37,985,572
19,678,009
57,663,581
16.55
2005
2,106,380
672,284
2,778,664
6.39
22,444
4,653
27,097
3.56
34,851,582
17,343,810
52,195,392
9.48
2006
2,291,952
778,210
3,070,162
10.49
22,128
5,621
27,749
2.41
31,851,644
18,773,805
50,625,449
3.01
2007
2,765,523
965,977
3,731,500
21.54
24,004
7,373
31,377
13.07
34,274,471
19,198,453
53,472,924
5.62
2008
2,997,161
994,089
3,991,250
6.96
27,205
7,619
34,824
10.99
31,504,729
17,435,687
48,940,416
8.48
2009
3,841,990
920,913
4,762,903
19.33
37,328
7,011
44,339
27.32
31,248,525
14,610,526
45,859,051
6.30
2010
4,206,651
1,206,801
5,413,452
13.66
39,470
7,907
47,377
6.85
36,191,069
18,686,898
54,877,967
19.67
2011
4,748,333
1,467,613
6,215,946
14.82
44,300
9,509
53,809
13.58
36,511,394
15,271,651
51,783,045
5.64
2012
5,257,941
1,513,377
6,771,318
8.93
49,242
9,646
58,888
9.44
43,415,209
13,558,398
56,973,607
10.02
2013
5,369,929
1,626,183
6,996,112
3.32
53,954
10,991
64,945
10.29
46,548,042
15,186,420
61,734,462
8.36
2014
5,160,109
1,679,740
6,839,849
2.23
44,651
11,630
56,281
13.34
39,081,696
15,048,599
54,130,295
12.32
2015
5,769,104
2,012,135
7,781,239
13.76
48,850
13,363
62,213
10.54
65,378,724
19,353,499
84,732,223
56.53
2016
6,334,283
2,436,355
8,770,638
12.72
55,804
15,739
71,543
15.00
49,976,828
16,947,007
66,923,835
21.02
2017
6,904,978
3,145,962
10,050,940
14.60
65,310
21,070
86,380
20.74
55,340,945
17,974,165
73,315,110
9.55
2018
7,611,398
3,788,489
11,377,887
13.20
75,010
25,439
100,449
16.29
62,817,080
19,240,760
82,057,840
11.92
2019
8,370,466
4,291,589
12,662,055
11.29
79,282
28,512
107,794
7.31
58,664,442
17,906,524
76,570,966
6.69
2020
1,939,845
806,331
2,746,176
78.31
22,707
6,780
29,487
72.65
29,446,858
14,392,812
43,839,670
42.75
2021
1,163,960
167,571
1,331,531
51.51
14,900
2,897
17,797
39.64
30,424,637
24,632,353
55,056,990
25.59
2022
4,870,471
689,787
5,560,258
317.58
48,470
6,527
54,997
209.02
32,098,134
24,497,907
56,596,041
2.80
2023
7,537,756
2,512,584
10,050,340
80.75
72,757
16,955
89,712
63.12
39,694,942
18,316,527
58,011,469
2.50
Accidents and incidents
On October 23, 2022, Korean Air Flight 631, an Airbus A330-300 with registration HL7525 originating from Seoul, overshot the runway after two landing attempts, shortly after landing in stormy weather. No injuries were reported, but the airplane was damaged beyond repair.[60]
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