Mactan-Cebu Airport Breaks Records Despite Oil Crisis

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is on a roll, defying the oil crisis that has been affecting the country's air travel industry. Despite a 32.53% increase in air fares due to the Middle East war, MCIA recorded a remarkable 5.6 million passengers passing through its domestic and international terminals between January and May this year.

According to data from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), this is a 12.16% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when the airport recorded roughly 5 million passengers. The figures are a testament to Cebu's resilient economy, which has been weathering the storms of the oil crisis.

Domestic passengers remain the biggest contributor to MCIA's foot traffic, with MCIAA recording a total of 4,109,044 passengers flying in and out of Terminal 1. Meanwhile, 1,498,730 international passengers passed through the airport from January to May, an approximately 23% increase compared to the 1,221,256 posted in the same period for 2025.

January consistently recorded the highest passenger totals for the five-month period across all categories. Experts have been attributing this trend to the Sinulog Festival, a major tourist event that draws millions of people to the city. However, many also consider the hosting of the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Tourism Summit in Cebu as another factor for the impressive numbers for January.

In contrast, April had the lowest passenger volume, both for domestic and international flights, despite being the start of the summer and end-of-school travel season. The Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) had imposed its highest fuel surcharge rate following the oil crisis triggered by the US vs. Iran war. Global jet fuel prices spiked sharply due to the geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.

Under this peak rate, travelers faced additional fees ranging from ₱627 to ₱1,834 for domestic flights and ₱2,070.77 to ₱15,397.15 for international routes. By May, the numbers for domestic passengers had slightly improved. However, for international passengers, they declined further to 241,832 from 266,331 in April.

MCIA can accommodate up to 16 million passengers and currently connects to a total of 44 destinations, both local and overseas. The airport's growth is a testament to the city's thriving economy and its ability to attract tourists and businesses despite the challenges faced by the country's air travel industry.

The oil crisis has indeed been a major challenge for the country's air travel industry, but MCIA's growth suggests that the city is resilient and determined to keep moving forward. As the city continues to grow and thrive, one can only expect more exciting developments from MCIA in the future.