Construction initiative for MCIA's third terminal commencing
As the Philippines gears up to position Cebu's airport as the primary tourism hub in the country by 2030, the status of a third terminal at MCIA remains unclear.
Current Status of the Third Terminal at MCIA
The third terminal at MCIA is not explicitly reported as under construction or with a concrete timeline in recent search results up to August 2025. The last noted major expansion for MCIA was completed in May 2021, which was an expansion project rather than a new terminal. There is no direct mention of an ongoing or planned third terminal project or its timeline in the available results.
Efforts to Establish MCIA as a Tourism Hub
Nonetheless, previous expansions and operational improvements at MCIA align with broader national goals to improve Cebu’s airport infrastructure as a key tourism gateway. The airport has undergone expansions aimed at increasing capacity and modernizing facilities, such as the relocation of Philippine Airlines domestic departures to Terminal 1 at MCIA from October 2022. These adjustments are possibly aimed at streamlining passenger flow and improving service.
The government, through the Build! Build! Build! program, has noted expansions but did not specify a third terminal for MCIA; instead, other airports have current or planned terminal projects. While India’s GMR Group, which previously held a concession for MCIA until 2022, has exited the airport, it is plotting a comeback in Philippine provincial airports, though not specifically MCIA’s third terminal.
Summary
In summary, there is no confirmed current status or timeline for a third terminal construction at MCIA based on these recent data sources. However, the efforts to enhance MCIA's infrastructure and operations reflect the broader national goals to position Cebu's airport as a premier tourism hub by 2030.
If ongoing third terminal planning exists, it may either be in early conceptual stages or part of future infrastructure plans pending announcements. The government and private sectors have shown interest in provincial airport upgrades, which could eventually include MCIA terminal projects aligned with tourism and passenger capacity growth goals.
Key Points
- No confirmed construction or timeline for the third terminal at MCIA.
- Current improvements at MCIA aimed to boost capacity and passenger experience.
- Stakeholders include the Philippine government, Aboitiz InfraCapital, and private groups.
- GMR exited MCIA concession but remains active in other airports.
- Further official announcements are needed for precise details on the third terminal and specific 2030 positioning plans.
Additional Information
- Cebu's airport is centrally located, allowing it to be within a one-hour flight from 90 percent of the country's top tourist destinations.
- In July 2025, the MCIA was ranked as the seventh most improved airport in the world by global aviation rating firm Skytrax, recognizing significant enhancements in customer service and operations.
- The MCIA has earned prestigious accolades, including being named Best Airport in Asia-Pacific in the 5-15 million passengers category at the Airport Service Quality Awards in March 2025.
- The primary business travel in the Philippines is through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). Efforts are currently focused on enhancing connectivity between international and domestic flights at the MCIA to make travel easier for tourists.
- Despite the absence of a confirmed construction timeline for a third terminal at MCIA, the airport's recent improvements, such as the relocation of Philippine Airlines domestic departures, are aligned with efforts to position Cebu's airport as a premier tourism hub by 2030.
- The covid-19 pandemic might have affected the planning and construction of the third terminal at MCIA, as no concrete information about its status is available up to August 2025.
- As travel resumes and recovers from the covid-19 pandemic, a developed third terminal at MCIA could significantly improve the lifestyle and tourism experience for both domestic and foreign visitors in Cebu and the whole Philippines.
