Owais Crawford
Manila Airport (IATA: MNL, ICAO: RPLL), also known as Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is the Philippines' main international airport. It is the largest airport in the Philippines, serving the area of Manila and offering non-stop passenger flights to 90 destinations in 27 countries. Travellers can fly non-stop to 33 domestic destinations in the Philippines and 3 destinations in Vietnam. However, there are no direct flights between Manila and South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southern Asia, or Central Asia. Manila Airport has been criticised for its congested terminals, flight delays, and uncomfortable layover experiences. Travellers seeking to avoid Manila's airport traffic and pollution have alternative airport options, such as Clark International Airport in the Greater Manila Area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Ninoy Aquino International Airport / Villamor Airbase (NAIA) |
| Airport Code | MNL |
| Location | Pasay City, Manila, Philippines |
| Number of Terminals | 4 |
| Airlines | Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, Vietnam Airlines (SkyTeam), Air France, Kuwait City, etc. |
| Destinations | 90 destinations in 27 countries |
| Number of Domestic Flights | 33 |
| Longest Flight | 5,285 miles (8,505 km) non-stop route to New York City JFK |
| Alternative Airports | Clark International Airport, New Manila International Airport, Sangley Point Airport |
| Notable Incidents | Aircraft crashes in 1990, 2002, and 2003 |
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What You'll Learn
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the Philippines' main airport
- NAIA has been cited as one of the world's worst airports
- Travellers with layovers in Manila cannot leave the airport if there is no stopover indicated on their ticket
- Clark International Airport is an alternative airport to Manila, servicing low-cost airlines
- There are 33 domestic flights from Manila, with non-stop flights to 90 destinations in 27 countries
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the Philippines' main airport
NAIA has been in its current location since 1948 and has undergone major renovations and construction over the years. The airport now has four terminals served by two runways and can accommodate around 40 million passengers annually. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 handle international flights, while Terminal 4 is the Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal. Over 45 airlines operate from Manila Airport, including Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, which offer airside shuttle services between their respective terminals.
The airport is accessible via the NAIA Road (formerly known as the MIA Road), which connects to Roxas Boulevard and the Manila–Cavite Expressway (R-1). The nearest train station is the LRT Line 1's Ninoy Aquino Avenue station, from which passengers can take secondary transport modes such as jeepneys or taxis to the airport. However, walking with luggage may be challenging due to the distance and lack of pedestrian-friendly pathways.
A shuttle bus service is available every 15 minutes throughout the day for passengers needing to move between terminals. Additionally, UBE Express operates a paid landside shuttle service called the "NAIA Loop" for passengers making connections.
Regarding layovers, some passengers have reported that they were not allowed to leave the airport during long layovers. Philippine Airlines' website states that "international transit passengers are not allowed to go out of the terminal if there is no stopover indicated in the ticket." However, other passengers have reported leaving the airport during layovers pre-COVID.
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NAIA has been cited as one of the world's worst airports
Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been ranked as one of the world's worst airports. In November 2024, it was ranked last among the busiest airports in the world by an Australian firm, Compare the Market. The ranking was based on accessibility, cleanliness, and efficiency. NAIA has been troubled by issues such as flight delays, poor internet speed, safety concerns, and sanitation problems. The airport has also been notorious for lengthy waiting times, power failures, and even bedbug-infested chairs.
NAIA has been operating beyond its designed capacity of 35 million passengers, resulting in clogged air traffic and further delays. The airport, which opened in 1948, has struggled to keep up with the increasing demand for air travel. In 2024, NAIA tallied a record high of 50 million passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. To address these issues, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC) took over the management and operations of the airport in September 2024. The consortium aims to increase the airport's capacity to 62 million passengers annually and improve air traffic movements to 48 per hour.
Despite some recent improvements, such as the opening of a lounge for Filipino migrant workers and the addition of passenger boarding bridges, NAIA continues to face challenges. The failure to invest in upgrading its facilities has been a significant issue. From 2010 to 2023, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) allotted only P2.08 billion per year for capital expenditures, resulting in a lack of maintenance and continuous power outages.
The private sector has shown interest in upgrading the ageing airport, but their $6.5 billion offer was rejected. The Incheon International Airport in South Korea, which opened in 2001 with a similar capacity to NAIA, has since expanded to accommodate 77 million passengers annually. The hope now rests on the NNIC, led by San Miguel Corp., to successfully rehabilitate and transform NAIA into a world-class gateway.
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Travellers with layovers in Manila cannot leave the airport if there is no stopover indicated on their ticket
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila has been consistently ranked as one of the worst airports in Asia due to safety issues and traveller complaints. There have been reports of airport security planting bullets in passenger bags to extort foreign travellers. Additionally, travellers have reported being held in a room without food and having their passports confiscated. As a result, the Philippine President Duterte has threatened to have the air force take control of NAIA if security does not improve.
However, if you do find yourself with a long layover in Manila, there are a few things you can do to make your stay more comfortable. Firstly, it is recommended to book a lounge, where you can access food, drinks, WiFi, and shower facilities for a single fee. You can also pay to use sleep pods or book a room in one of the nearby hotels. Most eateries in the airport serve casual, to-go food with a variety of Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, and Western options. It is important to note that most vendors only accept cash, so be sure to stop by an ATM if needed.
If you wish to leave the airport during your layover, it is advised to have the necessary documentation, including the OneHealthPass and Covid vaccine certificates. Additionally, you may need to pay an additional tax when coming back through departures. However, there is a risk that you may not be allowed to leave the airport, as it is ultimately up to the discretion of the airline and airport authorities.
Overall, while a long layover in Manila may not be ideal, with some planning and preparation, you can make the most of your time and even explore the city if you are allowed to leave the airport.
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Clark International Airport is an alternative airport to Manila, servicing low-cost airlines
Clark International Airport (IATA: CRK, ICAO: RPLC) is an alternative airport to Manila, servicing low-cost airlines and providing a less congested option for travellers. It is located within the Clark Freeport Zone on the island of Luzon, approximately 87 kilometres (50-61 miles) northwest of Manila. The airport is easily accessible via the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), which provides a direct link to Metro Manila through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
Clark International Airport serves a total of 19 airlines, connecting the Luzon region to 19 domestic and 14 international destinations. The airport has experienced remarkable passenger growth, meeting its 2024 targets and emerging as a new travel hub in Central Luzon, the main Philippine island. It is particularly attractive for business travel to and from Manila and is increasingly becoming the jump-off point for visiting the country's top islands.
A growing number of airlines are operating out of Clark International, including Cebu Pacific, the Philippines' largest carrier, and Jeju Air, which introduced daily flights to Busan, South Korea, in 2023. Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways also operate daily flights to CRK. The airport's infrastructure includes a 4-level, 82,600-square-meter passenger terminal building, which replaced the original terminal in 2022, and two identical concrete parallel runways capable of accommodating most commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
Clark International Airport is well-connected to the surrounding areas. Passengers can access intercity buses from Dau, leading to other cities and towns in Northern and Central Luzon, as well as Metro Manila. Direct premium bus services are also available for long-distance routes, connecting the airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, TriNoma, Robinsons Galleria, Subic, Olongapo, Dagupan, and Vigan. Additionally, air-conditioned jeepneys provide short-distance connections to nearby locations, and the airport will soon be served by the North–South Commuter Railway, offering direct access to New Clark City, Tutuban in Manila, and Calamba in Laguna.
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There are 33 domestic flights from Manila, with non-stop flights to 90 destinations in 27 countries
Yes, you can fly out of Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport / Villamor Airbase (MNL). It is the Philippines' main international airport and the largest airport in the Philippines. There are 33 domestic flights from Manila, with non-stop flights to 90 destinations in 27 countries.
There are 47 airlines flying from Manila to 90 airports around the world, as of May 2025. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia operate most flights from Manila. Cebu, Caticlan and Davao City are the 3 most popular routes from Manila. There are also non-stop flights to three destinations in Vietnam: Da Nang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The longest flight from Manila is a 5,285-mile (8,505 km) non-stop route to New York City JFK, which takes around 16 hours and 15 minutes and is operated by Philippine Airlines.
If you have a layover in Manila, you may not be allowed to leave the airport. Some travellers have reported that they were able to leave the airport during layovers in the past, but others have reported that they were not allowed to do so. It is important to check the policies of your airline and the regulations of the Philippine government before assuming you will be able to leave the airport during a layover.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are 3 destinations in Vietnam with non-stop flights from Manila.
Clark International Airport is an alternative airport to Manila Airport. It is located in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, and caters mainly to low-cost carriers.
It depends. Some sources suggest that international transit passengers are not allowed to leave the terminal if there is no stopover indicated on the ticket. However, one source recommends going through immigration without mentioning a connecting flight and simply stating that you are spending one night outside the airport.
