Mactan Cebu International Airport won the top award in the under 5 million passenger airport category at Routes Asia 2023 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Routes Asia is aimed at developing air routes in the Asia-Pacific region, and it seems that the winners include not only airports but also tourism development in the region.
The overall category winner is Singapore's Changi Airport, which has been recognized as the world's best airport many times.
On the other hand, the lowest rated airport in the world is Manila Airport.
Therefore, the award for Mactan Cebu Airport is a joyous occasion not only for Cebu but also for the Philippines.
My first trip to Cebu was on July 29, 1981. I remember that the Cebu airport terminal at that time was as small as a local bus terminal.
Today, both international and domestic terminals have been modernized, and I especially like the international terminal with its distinctive arched roofs.
Before the new Corona, there were 12.066 million passengers in 2019, which was more than Osaka Itami Airport. Last year it seemed to have less than 5 million, but I think it will be in the 20 million range in the not-too-distant future.
Mayor Rama of Cebu City is aiming for a city like Singapore, and I hope that Mactan Cebu Airport will further improve its attractiveness as an airport as good as Changi Airport.
