Aboitiz Infracapital, Inc., which operates the country's three international airports, reported total passenger numbers to reach 16.17 million in 2025, supported by higher travel demand in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) handled 11.6 million passengers, up 3% from 2024, serving 20 airlines, the company said in a statement over the weekend.
Laguindingan International Airport (LIA) recorded 2.35 million passengers served by three airlines, while Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) recorded 2.22 million passengers served by eight airlines.
“2025 has been a landmark year for our airports as we continue to expand connectivity for both domestic and international passengers. Passengers arriving at MCIA, LIA and BPIA now have easy access to key destinations in Cebu, Bohol and Northern Mindanao, making travel within the Philippines more seamless than ever,” said Rafael M. Aboitiz, vice president and head of airports at Aboitiz Infracapital. said in a media release on Sunday.
The company said the growth reflects growing tourism and business travel to the regions. MCIA also launched an air-to-air transfer service last year to reduce connection times between domestic and international flights.
Upgrades to the BPIA and LIA were implemented in 2025 to improve operational reliability. Under the P4.53 billion plan, BPIA plans to increase its capacity from two million to 2.5 million passengers within two years, with a long-term target of 3.9 million by 2030.
The 30-year concession for BPIA includes maintenance, upgrades and expansion, starting with airport turnover in June 2025.
At the LIA, Aboitiz Infracapital said it would work with Ireland-based DA International to implement the upgrade and manage operations. — Ashley Erica O. jose