Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 9) — The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the country’s second busiest airport, served 925,344 passengers from January to June this year.
It is 181% higher than the same period in 2022, when about 510,822 passengers were served.
Of the latest figures, 702,000 were domestic passengers – a 149% jump compared to last year.
MCIA authorities attributed the growth to the reopening of more flights to Cebu, especially the return of international routes.
“There is no way but up for the aviation industry as we are finally seeing the full recovery of air travel,” the airport administration said in a statement.
In June, two new international flights were opened for Taipei in Taiwan and Incheon in South Korea. Total international passengers were pegged at more than 233,000 in the first half of the year, which is 546% higher than 2022.
The MCIA, the country’s biggest gateway next to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, currently hosts 17 foreign airlines and four local carriers. It also serves 27 domestic destinations and 11 international routes as of June this year.
