MCIA Earns Back-to-Back ACI Honors, Becomes First PH Airport to Reach Level 3 Accreditation

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) continues to raise the bar for airport service in the Philippines after receiving two major recognitions from Airports Council International (ACI).

The airport was once again named among the Best Airports in Asia-Pacific in the 5–15 million passengers category at the ACI Airport Experience Summit 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. MCIA also advanced to Level 3 of ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation, making it the first and only airport in the Philippines to reach this level.

Passenger experience takes center stage
The latest awards highlight MCIA’s continued efforts to improve every stage of the passenger journey—from check-in and security procedures to airport facilities, technology, customer service, and overall convenience.

“These recognitions affirm our commitment to making every journey through MCIA a positive and meaningful experience,” said Rafael M. Aboitiz, AIC Vice President and Head of Airports.

He added that the recognitions also serve as a challenge for the airport to continue improving its standards and developing better ways to serve travelers.

For Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports (AIC Airports), investments in MCIA are not limited to physical upgrades. They are also designed to strengthen connectivity and help Cebu attract more opportunities in tourism, trade, and investment.

Second consecutive Asia-Pacific recognition
MCIA’s latest ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Awards recognition marks the airport’s second consecutive win under AIC Airports’ management.

The airport first received the distinction in 2025, following AIC Airports’ assumption of operations in 2024. The back-to-back awards place MCIA among the leading airports in the Asia-Pacific region, alongside airports in India, China, Indonesia, and other major aviation markets.

The ASQ awards are based on standardized passenger surveys conducted by ACI. These surveys gather feedback across more than 50 touchpoints in the airport experience, making the recognition a reflection of actual traveler experiences.

MCIA sets the standard for AIC Airports
According to AIC Airports Chief Executive Officer Athanasios Titonis, MCIA’s customer experience program serves as a benchmark for the company’s other airport operations.

“The customer experience at MCIA sets the benchmark for service excellence across AIC Airports’ portfolio,” Titonis said.

He noted that the same passenger-first approach will also guide improvements at Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport.

As Cebu connects with more destinations and welcomes more travelers, Titonis said MCIA will continue working toward an airport experience that represents the best of Cebu and the Philippines.

He also recognized the continued cooperation of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, the Department of Transportation, and other government partners in developing MCIA into a globally competitive gateway.

First Philippine airport to achieve Level 3
MCIA’s advancement from Level 2 to Level 3 of ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation is another significant milestone.

Level 3 recognizes airports that have established an advanced and comprehensive customer experience strategy. This includes collaboration among passengers, employees, airport partners, and customer experience professionals.

ACI evaluates airports across eight key areas: understanding customer needs, developing a customer experience strategy, measuring passenger satisfaction, improving airport operations, establishing effective governance, building a customer-focused culture, creating innovative services, and collaborating with the airport community.

The achievement reflects the systems, policies, and operational improvements introduced at MCIA over the past two years.

A stronger gateway for Cebu
MCIA’s latest recognitions demonstrate how sustained investment, operational improvements, and public-private cooperation can create meaningful benefits for travelers.

A more efficient and passenger-focused airport strengthens Cebu’s role as a major gateway for tourism, business, and investment. It also improves the country’s ability to compete with leading airports across the Asia-Pacific region.

For passengers, the improvements mean a smoother and more reliable airport experience. For Cebu, they support stronger connectivity and greater economic opportunities.

With its latest ACI achievements, MCIA continues to position itself not only as one of the Philippines’ major international gateways but also as a model for customer-focused airport management in the country.