CEBU CITY – Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the country’s second busiest gateway, officially launched three new international direct routes during the first week of December, expanding its total number of international destinations to 19.
The new direct connections link Cebu to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Hanoi in Vietnam, and Brisbane in Australia.
The newly introduced services and their operators are:
• Cebu-Kuala Lumpur: Operated by budget carrier Firefly Airlines, flying five times weekly.
• Cebu-Hanoi: Operated by Vietnam’s flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, flying three times weekly.
• Cebu-Brisbane: Operated by Jetstar Airways, flying three times weekly.
The Cebu-Brisbane route is particularly significant, marking the first direct air connection between Cebu and Australia.
Airport officials noted that Jetstar Airways plans to increase its frequency on this route to four times weekly starting February 1, 2026, through the end of March 2026.
Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation, hailed the new Australian connection. “Opening direct flights to Brisbane is a historic achievement for MCIA. This connection not only gives travelers more options but also positions Cebu as a key gateway to Australia,” Titonis stated.
Julius G. Neri Jr., General Manager and CEO of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, added that the additional direct flights will connect more people and destinations, supporting Cebu’s growing role in international tourism.