MACTAN CEBU AIRPORT (CEB) INFORMATION

Mactan–Cebu International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Mactan–Cebu; Cebuano: Tugpahanang Pangkalibutan sa Mactan–Sugbo) is located on a reclaimed island south of Mactan Island, and is about 15 kilometers from downtown Cebu City across a narrow strait.

MCIA is also one of the busiest airports in the country, second only to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Since the late 1990s, the airport has become an important part of the vibrant economic activity in Cebu, attracting tourism and direct investment from all over the world.

Located about an hour away from the heart of the central business district of Cebu City, the facility handled more than 8.3 million domestic and 4.3 million international passengers in 2019.

The airport also serves as an Asian-Pacific transportation hub for passenger and cargo services alike.

In recent years, Mactan–Cebu International Airport (IATA: CEB; ICAO: RPVM) had its original runway extended to 3,300 meters to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A380 family and Boeing 777. In 2013, the airport made history when it successfully landed one of the largest cargo aircraft in the world, the Antonov An-225 Mriya.

With the completion of the new airport building in 2019, the facility now boasts a modern terminal for international passengers, spacious concourses, and a runway linked by a network of highways and bridges that serves domestic and international flights to Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Arrivals, Departures and Airlines at Mactan Cebu Airport

• See live flight arrivals information at Mactan Cebu Airport
• See live flight departures information at Mactan Cebu Airport
• See all airlines and routes that serve Mactan Cebu Airport

History of Mactan–Cebu International Airport

After World War II, the government projected that Cebu would become an economic powerhouse in the Philippines. Long before the Americans came in the early 1900s, Cebu already had a bustling city with factories, thriving local industries, and a busy global seaport under Spanish rule.

Cebu was already the second-largest metropolitan area in the archipelago before WWII—but without an international airport. In 1956, the US Air Force built an emergency airport and air command strike center in Cebu for the Vietnam War. It was known as the Mactan Air Base to honor the town. When the Americans left in the 1960s, the government converted it into an airport.

Mactan–Cebu International Airport was the first international airport outside Manila.

This former US military facility now serves as the primary airport for international destinations in the entire Visayas region of the Philippines.

MCIA is a modern international airport that also serves domestic flights to other smaller airports throughout the country like Bacolod, Palawan, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Kalibo, and many more.

This proximity allows international travelers and tourists to take direct flights between Manila and Cebu without traveling through Davao, Iloilo, Bicol, and Clark.

For many years, MCIA has been the hub for airlines like Cebu Pacific, Pan Pacific Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Royal Air Philippines.

Other airlines operating here include Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Korean Air, Air Asia, Qatar Airways, Scoot Singapore, TigerAir Taiwan, and Xiamen Air, among others.

The Mactan Cebu International Airport is owned by the Philippine government and operated by GMR–Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation.

MCIA has two passenger terminals (for domestic and international flights) with three concourses (A, B, and C) connected at the mezzanine level by transit points.

The main terminal building has three levels: basement (arrivals and ground transportation), ground floor (check-in area), and upper floors (departures) for check-in, immigration, and security inspection.

The lower level of the terminal holds an information desk, shopping areas, and restaurants. The facility has a Duty Free shop, money changer counters, and several Automated Teller Machines like Metrobank, BDO, PNB, BPI, Security Bank, China Bank, RCBC, UCPB, PS Bank, and Union Bank.

The airport also provides an information center for tourism, transfer desks, and luggage storage facilities.

It also has its medical facilities and special access points to persons with disabilities, as well as designated areas for breastfeeding mothers.

Transfers to and from Mactan-Cebu Airport:

Rental Cars – The car rental companies at Mactan-Cebu Airport have desks located in the public arrivals area of the airport. It is recommended to arrange for the rental car of choice before arriving at the airport to ensure the availability and readiness of the vehicle. Unless otherwise instructed, rental cars are returned to the rental car park.

Taxis – The flag down rate for a white taxi starts at P40.00 (0.80 US$), with an additional P13.00 (0.25 US$) for every succeeding kilometer. Fare for yellow taxis starts at P70.00 (1.40 US$). They operate 24 hours daily.

Note that yellow cabs are for arriving passengers to a local destination only, while white taxis service departing and arriving passengers to and from the city or airport. Arriving passengers from international destinations are advised to take the yellow cab to their local destination. More about taxis at Cebu Airport.

Buses – MyBus provides efficient transportation from Mactan Cebu International Airport to SM City Cebu and vice versa from 6 am to 9 pm daily. SM is one of the biggest shopping malls in the city. The bus leaves at both stations every 20 minutes. More about buses to and from Cebu Airport.

Rideshares - Rideshares do appear to be available at Mactan-Cebu Airport, however, they are not as yet endorsed by the airport. Private transfers can be arranged in advance of arrival at Cebu Airport.

Ferries - For those arriving at Mactan Cebu Airport but with a destination on another island there are several ferry services from the nearby port.

Parking at Mactan-Cebu Airport - There is a sizeable parking lot available at Cebu Airport.

Hotels - The airport is just a few minutes away from Cebu’s famous hotels on the island, such as Crimson Resort and Spa, JPark Island Resort and Waterpark, and Plantation Bay Resort & Spa. See more about hotels local to Cebu Airport.

Additional Services and Amenities at Mactan Cebu Airport

At Mactan Cebu Airport you will find the usual array of bars and restaurants, airport lounges and shops.

• See all bars and restaurants inside Mactan Cebu Airport
• See and book airport lounges at Mactan Cebu Airport
• Plan your shopping in advance - see all the shops (including duty-free) at Mactan Cebu Airport

Things to do in Cebu

There are a number of activities to suit all ages and interests in the region - see a selection of tourist activities in Cebu, Philippines.

Mactan Cebu International Airport Contacts:

Address: Lapu-Lapu Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, 6016 Cebu, Philippines
General Phone: (+632) 494-7000 
General Email: customerservice@gmcac.ph 
Lost and Found Email: lostandfound@gmcac.ph
Lost and Found Phone: Phone: (032) 494 7000 loc: 7404; Mobile: 09175737139
Official Website: https://mactancebuairport.com/
Duty Free Refund Desk (Location): T1 South Wing Pre Terminal

Local Information:

Drive on: Left
Electricity: 220V/60Hz.
Plug: A, B and C.
Currency: Philippine Peso