Festival of Flights: MCIA Welcomes New Routes & Airline Partners!

LAPU-LAPU CITY, PHILIPPINES – There’s always something exciting about being at the airport, but today at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the excitement was on a whole new level! I had the chance to witness the Festival of Flights Media Launch, where MCIA unveiled a wave of new routes and fresh airline partners that will soon connect Cebu to even more destinations.

As someone who’s always on the lookout for easier, more direct ways to travel, this was music to my ears. The announcements showed just how serious MCIA is about cementing Cebu’s place as a premier hub in the region. With the new flights, travelers like you and me will soon enjoy more seamless options for both local adventures and international escapes.

And the lineup? Super exciting! Our trusted carriers like Philippine Airlines and Philippines AirAsia are stepping up with increased flights, while new friends—Firefly Airlines and Jetstar Airways—are joining in to give us even more ways to explore the world.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming:

International Routes

• AirAsia’s Cebu–Kuala Lumpur: twice daily (Nov 15, 2025)
• AirAsia’s Cebu–Macau: thrice weekly (Nov 15, 2025)
• Firefly Airlines’ Cebu–Kuala Lumpur: five times weekly (Dec 2, 2025)
• Jetstar Airways’ Cebu–Brisbane, Australia: thrice weekly (Dec 3, 2025)

Domestic Routes

• AirAsia’s Cebu–Davao: 18x weekly (Nov 15, 2025)
• AirAsia’s Cebu–Caticlan: 11x weekly (Nov 15, 2025)
• AirAsia’s Cebu–Iloilo: 4x weekly (Nov 15, 2025)
• Philippine Airlines’ Cebu–Calbayog: 4x weekly (Oct 26, 2025)

And just when we thought the surprises were over—the very next day after the Festival of Flights (Sept 26), Philippine Airlines announced yet another exciting addition: direct flights between Cebu and Guam starting December 16, 2025!

That’s a whole lot of options opening up for us—whether you’re chasing island sunsets in Boracay, reconnecting with family in Iloilo, or finally ticking off that trip to Brisbane from your bucket list.

The event also premiered the airport’s brand-new CebConnects campaign video, which perfectly highlights what we Cebuanos already know: Cebu’s location makes it an unbeatable jump-off point for both domestic and international travel. It’s all about making transfers smooth, easy, and hassle-free.

Hearing from MCIA’s leaders, like Athanasios Titonis (ACAC CEO) and Julius G. Neri, Jr. (MCIAA GM & CEO), it’s clear that this expansion is more than just about flights—it’s about powering up Cebu’s role in tourism, commerce, and even economic resilience for the Southern Philippines.

Personally, I left the Festival of Flights feeling proud and excited. Proud that Cebu continues to soar as a major player in travel, and excited because, as a traveler, this means more doors to the world are literally opening right at our doorstep.

So, where to next? With these new routes, the world feels a little closer—and I can’t wait to explore it all with Cebu as my home base.