Mactan-cebu: The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on Wednesday welcomed Vietnam's low-cost airline VietJet's plan to launch direct flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City. According to the airline, the flights will begin on December 11.
According to Philippines News Agency, the route will double VietJet's capacity between the Philippines and Vietnam and follows strong growth in travel demand, with Philippine visitor arrivals to Vietnam rising 73.4 percent year on year in the first four months of 2026. The expansion also strengthens Cebu's role as a regional gateway while providing travelers with access to VietJet's wider network across Asia-Pacific and Europe via Ho Chi Minh City.
In turn, Aboitiz InfraCapital president Cosette Canilao said this development reflects the growing demand for travel between Cebu and Vietnam and highlights the strength of the relationship between the two countries. "Direct connectivity plays a vital role in stimulating tourism, facilitating commerce, and creating opportunities that benefit our communities and economies," she said.
The new route is expected to provide travelers with greater convenience while opening new opportunities for business, investment, and leisure travel across both markets. Recognizing the potential of the Vietnamese market, MCIA operator Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) intensified its route development efforts through a series of strategic engagements with VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines.
These initiatives include airline headquarters visits, executive-level discussions, and participation in major international route development forums such as the Routes World and Routes Asia. ACAC also shared comprehensive market intelligence, traffic demand analyses, and growth projections directly with airline network planning and commercial teams, demonstrating Cebu's strong potential as a growing international gateway.
