The Airports Business of Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, has been recognized with the Grand Tourism Excellence Award at the recent Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Grand Tourism Awards. The award was presented to AIC Vice President and Head of Airports Business, Rafael “Rafa” M. Aboitiz, for the company’s role in enabling Philippine tourism and operating world-class gateways.
“Airports are not just physical terminals. They are economic engines—gateways of possibility,” said Aboitiz. “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.”
The MOPC, Asia’s oldest press club, cited AIC for its significant contribution to the tourism boom in the Visayas and Mindanao. The company was recognized for operating the region’s largest airports—Mactan-Cebu, Laguindingan, and Bohol-Panglao—which are expected to serve over 20 million passengers a year.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos graced the awarding ceremony as the guest of honor, with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco delivering the opening remarks.
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 percent 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.
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.
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.
