Mactan Cebu Airport Arrivals (CEB)

Flight Arrivals at Mactan Cebu Airport

Mactan–Cebu International Airport (CEB) is the primary airport serving the general area of Metro Cebu in the Philippines. It is about 30-45 minutes from downtown Cebu City.

It was renovated in the 1960s to replace the old Lahug airport as an alternate gateway into several Visayas and Mindanao provinces.

The airport handles over 12 million passengers annually and serves as a link in the aviation infrastructure of this archipelago’s 7,641 islands. It connects not just to capital Manila but other cities throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Since its inception more than 60 years ago, Cebu has become a major tourist hub for international travelers who wish to visit other islands in Visayas or Mindanao.

Located on Mactan Island, MCIA is about 15 kilometers from the capital city of Cebu. It is a modern airport that features a single 3,300-meter runway capable of landing some of the heaviest aircraft in the world.  

MCIA serves as a hub for Cebu Pacific Air, Royal Air Philippines, and Philippine Airlines.

Several foreign airlines have also set up direct flights at MCIA such as Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Emirates, Air Asia, Sichuan Airlines, Xiamen Air, and many more.

Over the years, MCIA has provided direct routes to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, Busan, Macau, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Incheon, Taipei, and several locations in Oceania, and North America.

MCIA serves as a gateway for international travelers who want to visit other parts of the country such as Palawan, Dumaguete, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Siargao, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Davao, General Santos, Calbayog, Camiguin, Caticlan, Dipolog, Iloilo, Legazpi, Bacolod, Surigao, and many more.

The airport has undergone several renovations in the past. Today, MCIA is one of the region’s best airports. Its 65,500 square-meter T1 arrival complex can accommodate up to 4.5 million passengers every year.

Passengers at the arrival area will have access to gift shops and restaurants to keep them entertained while preparing for their next destination. It is a newly renovated structure with large halls and comfortable seats for tourists waiting for their family or friends. Wi-Fi connection is available in the arrivals area.

Transferring from Mactan-Cebu Airport

There are a number of car rental companies at Mactan-Cebu Airport that can be found in the arrivals area. Booking a rental car in advance of your arrival is recommended.

From the arrivals area, passengers can go straight to the public transport facility located at the Taxi Bay and the Bus Stop areas. MyBus public buses bring passengers to SM City Cebu in about an hour. The fare is 1.00 US$. More information about buses to and from Cebu Airport.

International travelers may choose to hire a yellow cab from MCIA to their final destination anywhere on the island. The flag down rate for a yellow taxi starts at P70.00 (1.40 US$), with an additional P20.00 (0.40 US$) for every succeeding kilometer. These cabs operate 24 hours daily. See more about taxis to and from Cebu Airport.

Note: Although transport support personnel in this area are fully accredited, international passengers may have to register at the Help Desk section with the driver for security reasons. Yellow cabs are for arriving passengers at MCIA to a local destination only anywhere on the island.

Alternatively, tourists may choose to stay for a night around MCIA before proceeding to their next destination.

Some of the best resort hotels close to Mactan-Cebu Airport are Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan, JPark Island Resort and Waterpark, and Plantation Bay Resort & Spa, and Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa.