AirAsia Philippines is expanding its presence in the country with the reopening of its Cebu hub at Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on November 15, 2025. The move will introduce five new direct routes—three domestic and two international—to strengthen Cebu’s position as a key gateway connecting the Visayas and Mindanao to the wider ASEAN region and beyond.
To mark this expansion, AirAsia executives hosted a media event with partners from Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), regional tourism officials, and travel partners to share details on the new routes and the airline’s long-term vision for the hub.
New Routes and Connectivity
The expansion includes the revival of two popular domestic routes and the launch of a new one:
Cebu-Davao: 18x weekly
Cebu-Caticlan: 11x weekly
Cebu-Iloilo: 4x weekly
These domestic routes will serve as feeders for the new international services, which aim to provide seamless and affordable travel alternatives. The new international routes are:
Cebu-Kuala Lumpur: 14x weekly, connecting travelers to AirAsia’s mega-hub with access to over 3,500 routes across Asia.
Cebu-Macao: 3x weekly, offering a value-driven gateway to Hong Kong and China.
“Cebu is a cornerstone of our next phase of growth in the Philippines. By linking domestic feeders from across the Visayas and Mindanao into international gateways like Macao and Kuala Lumpur, we are creating a stronger bridge between local communities and the wider region,” said AirAsia Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer Amanda Woo. “Through Kuala Lumpur alone, travelers from Cebu can seamlessly connect to more than 3,500 routes across Asia and beyond.”
Economic and Community Impact
The airline’s expansion is expected to ease congestion at Manila’s airport and stimulate economic activity in the Central and Southern Philippines. AirAsia Philippines President and CEO Capt. Suresh Bangah highlighted the positive impact on local communities.
“This comeback expansion is about more than connectivity—it’s about encouraging local tourism, creating jobs, and supporting communities that depend on travel and trade,” said Capt. Bangah. “To meet the needs of this hub reopening, we have hired pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff based right here in Cebu.”
Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) lauded the move, emphasizing the powerful synergy created by the new routes. “We are delighted to support AirAsia Philippines in launching their new direct flights… giving us better connectivity and further promoting Cebu as a destination and as a tourism transfer hub,” said Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer of ACAC.
Promotional Fares and Launch Celebration
To celebrate the launch, AirAsia is offering special promotional fares. Guests can book direct flights to Caticlan, Iloilo, Davao, Kuala Lumpur, and Macao for as low as ₱118 (one-way base fare). This offer is available for booking via the MOVE app until September 28, 2025, for travel between November 15, 2025, and March 28, 2026.
The celebration will culminate in a Music Festival on November 15, 2025, featuring top Original Pilipino Music (OPM) artists. The event is a gesture of appreciation for the Cebuano community, which plays a central role in AirAsia’s journey.
