AirAsia expands Cebu hub with a vision to connect local communities to global gateways and drive local tourism

• By linking new domestic feeders to international gateways such as Kuala Lumpur and Macao, along with more connections to follow across our network, AirAsia’s Cebu hub will connect local communities to greater opportunities in travel, tourism and trade, and travel across Asean and beyond

• Fares start from just PHP118 for travel from 15 November 2025 to 28 March 2026

* Photo caption: (Second from left) Anuja Ravendran, Chief Communications Officer, AirAsia Aviation Group; Mr. Nicarter Rivas, Senior PR Officer, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA); Ms. Christine Villanueva, Head of Strategy and Communications, Aboitiz Infracapital Cebu Airport Corporation; Amanda Woo, Chief Commercial Officer, AirAsia Aviation Group; Captain Suresh Bangah, President & CEO, AirAsia Philippines; Councilor Nyza Archival, Representing Cebu City Mayor, Nestor Archival; Ms. Riza Macaibay, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer, DOT Central Visayas Office; Atty. Rafael Tatlonghari, Area Center VII Manager, CAAP and Ms. Joriz Mejares, Lapu-Lapu Tourism Office at the Cebu Hub press conference held in Cebu, Philippines.

AirAsia announced its comeback to the Cebu hub and unveiled its strategy to transform the city into its newest international gateway, with a combined network of domestic and international routes that will connect local communities across the Visayas and Mindanao to Asean and beyond through AirAsia Philippines. 

Starting 15 November 2025, AirAsia will reopen three domestic services, Cebu–Davao (18x weekly), Cebu-Caticlan (11x weekly) and Cebu-Iloilo (4x weekly), designed as vital feeder routes into its expanding international network. These will directly support the return of Cebu–Kuala Lumpur (14x weekly) and the launch of Cebu-Macao (3x weekly).

Guests may take advantage of the launch fares starting from just PHP118 for travel between 15 November 2025 and 28 March 2026, available on the AirAsia MOVE app.

Speaking at the announcement alongside partners from Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), regional tourism bodies, and travel partners, AirAsia executives said Cebu is central to the airline’s growth ambitions.

Amanda Woo, AirAsia Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Cebu is a cornerstone in 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. Through Kuala Lumpur alone, travellers from Cebu can seamlessly connect to more than 3,500 routes across Asia and beyond. We’ve restructured this hub to scale more sustainably, deepen our presence in Asean, and provide more affordable choices for millions of travellers. Beyond Kuala Lumpur and Macao, we are also planning additional international routes out of Cebu to further strengthen its role as another global gateway for the Philippines. With this, Cebu will play its part in realising our ambition to become the world’s first low-cost network carrier.”

Captain Suresh Bangah, AirAsia Philippines President and CEO, added: “Launching more international routes out of Cebu gives travellers from Central Visayas and the southern Philippines direct access to Asean and beyond, while also reinforcing Cebu’s reputation as a world-class leisure destination. This expansion is about more than connectivity, it is about encouraging local tourism, creating jobs, and supporting communities that depend on travel and trade. To meet the needs of this hub reopening, we have hired pilots, cabin crew and ground staff based right here in Cebu. For our guests, every flight is a purposeful journey that connects them to opportunities, experiences and loved ones, delivered with our commitment to safety, affordability and world-class service.”

Athanasios Titonis, CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), welcomed the development: “We are delighted to support AirAsia Philippines in expanding its Cebu operations. This partnership not only broadens direct access to international destinations such as Kuala Lumpur and Macao but also reinforces Cebu’s position as a premier hub in the region. Together, we are creating stronger links that will spur economic activity, enhance tourism, and deliver lasting benefits for the communities we serve.”

To cap off the Cebu hub comeback, AirAsia is inviting Cebuanos to a Music Festival on 15 November 2025 featuring top Original Pilipino Music (OPM) artists, a celebration of local talent and a gesture of appreciation for the community that plays a central role in AirAsia’s journey.