Routes Asia Returns to Cebu in 2028

Cebu, Philippines, has been selected to host the 24th edition of Routes Asia, the leading air service development event dedicated to advancing connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region. The official announcement was made at Routes World on 21st October, with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) serving as the official host of the 2028 event.

Routes Asia will return to Cebu nine years after the destination hosted the event in March 2019. The 2028 edition comes at a pivotal point in Cebu’s aviation growth as it strengthens its role as a major international gateway and connecting hub for the Visayas and Mindanao. Cebu’s selection reflects its established position in the Asia-Pacific aviation market and its ambition to expand domestic and international connectivity.

The event will also provide Cebu with an international platform to showcase its appeal beyond leisure travel. As one of the Philippines’ leading centers for tourism, commerce and investment, Cebu is increasingly serving as a gateway for visitors and businesses seeking access to the wider Central and Southern Philippines.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) handled 11.6 million passengers in 2025, while recent investment in airport infrastructure is creating further capacity for future growth. The airport’s parallel runway, inaugurated in 2025, is expected to enable MCIA to accommodate up to 18 million passengers annually once both runways are operating simultaneously.

Routes Asia provides a platform for the senior decision-makers responsible for developing the region’s air services to meet, negotiate and identify new market opportunities. Through thousands of face-to-face meetings, the event supports the development of new routes and the strengthening of existing services, helping destinations improve connectivity and unlock wider tourism and economic benefits.

Steven Small, Vice President, Air Transport Events, Informa, said: “Cebu has an incredibly compelling aviation story and we are delighted that Routes Asia will return to the destination in 2028. When the route development community last gathered in Cebu in 2019, the destination demonstrated both the strength of its aviation ambitions and the renowned hospitality of the Philippines. Since then, Cebu’s connectivity, infrastructure and importance as a gateway to the wider Visayas and Mindanao regions have continued to develop.”

Small added: “Bringing Routes Asia back nine years later gives Cebu an important platform to showcase that progress directly to the airline network planners who can support its next phase of growth. We look forward to working with our hosts to deliver an event that creates new connections, new opportunities and a lasting impact on the region’s air services."

Mr. Julius G. Neri, General Manager of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), said: “Cebu is more than ready to host another Routes Asia event. The last Routes Asia held in Cebu in 2019 was a success; however, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly affected our ability to fully realize its intended benefits. We recognize the importance of Routes Asia and the lasting opportunities it can bring to Cebu, particularly in strengthening air connectivity, tourism, and economic development.”

Neri added: “We are also proud to showcase the airport’s parallel runway, the first of its kind in the country. Once both runways are fully operational simultaneously, the airport is expected to increase its capacity and accommodate up to 18 million passengers annually.”

Atty. Glenn B. Napuli, Assistant General Manager of MCIAA, said: “Mactan-Cebu International Airport has consistently demonstrated its commitment to world-class airport service, having been recognized as the Best Airport in the Asia-Pacific region in the 5–15 million passenger category for both 2024 and 2025. These consecutive recognitions are a testament to our continuing commitment to service excellence, operational efficiency, and delivering an exceptional passenger experience. We look forward to building on these achievements as we prepare to welcome Routes Asia once again to Cebu.”