THE Mactan-Cebu International Airport has ended the first half of 2023 with 4.68 million local and international passengers flying through the country’s second busiest airport.
In the first semester of 2023, MCIA’s passenger growth more than doubled to 4.68 million, as it rose 129 percent from 2.12 million passengers recorded in the same period last year, official data obtained by SunStar Cebu showed.
From January to June 2023, domestic and foreign passengers who traveled through MCIA reached 3.77 million and 1.09 million, respectively.
This is a major sign that the air travel industry has significantly recovered post-Covid-19 pandemic, as additional new routes are expected to open from Cebu to local and foreign destinations.
Return of China flights
MCIA recently welcomed new flights from Cebu to Narita (Tokyo), Taipei and Hong Kong.
This month, Cebu is expected to see the return of direct flights from Cebu to China, with China Eastern resuming its Cebu-Shanghai route on July 15.
This marks a significant flight resumption launch as it may usher in the return of Chinese tourists to Cebu, who were among the island’s top visitors pre-pandemic.
According to sources at the airport, AirAsia will also likely revive its direct route from Cebu to Shenzhen in southern China this September.
Earlier, Athanasios Titonis, the new chief executive officer of MCIA, said the new routes launched at MCIA not only affirm the airport’s unwavering dedication to offering passengers a wide range of travel options and seamless connectivity but also hold the promise of revitalizing tourism, fostering stronger business relationships and mutually benefiting both destinations.
“With this collaboration, we are poised to create new opportunities and enrich travel experiences of our valued passengers,” he said in an earlier statement, following the launch of AirAsia’s direct flight from Cebu to Tokyo. (CSL)