The Airports Business of Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, has reaffirmed its role as enabler of Philippine tourism and operator of world-class gateways of growth, as AIC Vice President and Head of Airports Business Rafael “Rafa” M. Aboitiz received the prestigious Grand Tourism Excellence Award at the recent Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Grand Tourism Awards.
“Airports are not just physical terminals. They are economic engines—gateways of possibility. They bring in tourists who sustain local economies, enable businesses to trade and expand, allow families to stay connected, and place Cebu and the Philippines on the map as players in the regional and global stage,” Aboitiz said.
Presented by MOPC, Asia’s oldest and most respected press club, the award cited AIC “for creating an enabling environment and being a catalyst for the tourism boom in the Visayas and Mindanao, with its operation of the south’s biggest airports—Mactan-Cebu, Laguindingan, and Bohol-Panglao—soon to serve over 20 million passengers a year, and for contributing to tourism’s transformation and people’s upliftment with Aboitiz Airports, Water, and Digital Infra investments.”
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos graced the awarding ceremony as the guest of honor, with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco delivering the opening remarks.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport: Sustaining Regional Leadership
As the country’s first successful airport public-private partnership, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) continues to deliver strong results for the Visayas and beyond. In 2024, the airport welcomed 11.3 million passengers, a 13% increase from the previous year as both domestic and international travel surged.
MCIA’s performance has also been matched by international recognition. It was named Best Airport in Asia-Pacific (5–15 million passengers) by the Airports Council International Airport Service Quality Awards 2024 and ranked 7th Most Improved Airport in the World at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025, underscoring advances in passenger experience, infrastructure, and service excellence.
Strengthening Passenger Experience at Laguindingan International Airport
At Laguindingan International Airport (LIA) in Misamis Oriental, efforts are centered on elevating passenger care and modernizing facilities to match international standards.
Frontline service training—led by MCIA operator AIC Cebu Airport Corporation—was conducted earlier this year to enhance customer service and hospitality. These programs reflect AIC’s vision of transforming LIA into a modern, efficient, and customer-focused gateway for Northern Mindanao.
Bohol-Panglao International Airport: Preserving Beauty, Building Growth
At Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA), development is guided by a dual mission: to serve as a world-class gateway for travelers while preserving the natural beauty that makes Bohol one of the Philippines’ premier destinations. The airport is being enhanced with sustainability measures and operational improvements that protect the island’s pristine environment while meeting the needs of a growing tourism market.
BPIA stands as a symbol of AIC’s commitment to connectivity, communities, and collaboration—ensuring that economic progress does not come at the expense of environmental stewardship.
By balancing efficiency with sustainability, the airport reflects the very values recognized at the MOPC Grand Tourism Awards, and underscores how infrastructure can both empower communities and safeguard heritage for future generations.
