Owais Crawford
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as NAIA, is the main international airport serving the Greater Manila Area. It is located about 7 kilometres (3.4 miles) south of Manila and is the Philippines' busiest airport. NAIA has four passenger terminals that handle both domestic and international flights. The airport is currently operating beyond its designed capacity of 35 million passengers, resulting in congested terminals and delayed flights. Due to this, there are ongoing construction projects to reduce congestion at NAIA, including the development of a new international airport in Bulakan, Bulacan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) |
| Other Names | Manila International Airport, Manila Airport, MNL Airport |
| Location | Along the border between Pasay and Parañaque cities in Metro Manila |
| Distance from Manila City | 7 km (3.4 miles) south of the city |
| Terminals | 4 (Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4) |
| Airlines | Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, AirSWIFT, Philippines AirAsia, and more |
| Transport Options | Bus, Taxi, Rail (Light Rail Transit System), Shuttle (UBE Express), Car Rental |
| Passenger Capacity | Designed for 35 million, currently serving 32 million, record of 50.1 million in 2024 |
| Aircraft Movements | Over 550 daily |
| Runway | Secondary runway handles over 100 flights daily |
| Reputation | One of the world's worst airports due to congestion |
| Future Plans | New Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan; Upgrade Sangley Point Airport in Cavite City |
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What You'll Learn
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
NAIA has four passenger terminals, each serving specific airlines. Terminal 1, the oldest terminal, primarily serves international flights and accommodates an average of six million passengers annually. As of November 8, 2024, 19 airlines operate at Terminal 1, including major international carriers such as Air China, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air. Terminal 2 once exclusively served as the terminal for the country's flag carrier, Philippine Airlines (PAL). However, under the Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program, it has shifted to a domestic-only terminal since 2023. Terminal 3 is the largest and most modern terminal, serving both domestic and international routes for major airlines, including Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and foreign carriers like ANA and Emirates. Terminal 4 is currently closed for rehabilitation.
NAIA offers essential airport facilities and amenities, including lounges, restaurants, currency exchange services, free Wi-Fi, and duty-free shops. Terminal 3 boasts the most extensive amenities among the terminals. The airport has various transportation options for travellers, including local and city buses, taxis, the Light Rail Transit System (LRT), and shuttle services to Manila, such as the UBE Express. Travellers can also opt for car rentals or pre-book private transfers.
NAIA has been consistently cited as one of the world's worst airports due to operating beyond its designed capacity of 35 million passengers, resulting in congested terminals and delayed flights. To address these issues, the airport's operations and rehabilitation are now overseen by a private consortium, and construction projects to reduce congestion, such as the New Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan, and the upgrade of Sangley Point Airport, are currently underway.
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NAIA's four terminals
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the main international airport serving Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is located about 7 kilometres (3.4-4.3 miles) south of Manila and southwest of Makati Central Business District. NAIA is the busiest airport in the Philippines and has been consistently cited as one of the world's worst airports due to its congested terminals.
NAIA has four passenger terminals that are spread out and not connected to each other, so it's important to check which terminal your flight is departing from. Here is an overview of each terminal:
NAIA Terminal 1
NAIA Terminal 1, the oldest terminal, primarily serves international flights and accommodates around six million passengers annually. It has west gates 1-7 and east gates 9-15. As of 2023, it exclusively serves Philippine Airlines flights. Terminal 1 has a reputation for contributing to the airport's negative image due to its crowdedness.
NAIA Terminal 2
NAIA Terminal 2 handles both international and domestic flights of the country's flag carrier, Philippine Airlines or PAL. It has a limited capacity of 9 million passengers compared to the current demand of over 16 million domestic passengers. Terminal 2 is undergoing expansion to accommodate more flights.
NAIA Terminal 3
NAIA Terminal 3 serves international flights not handled by Terminal 1, as well as some domestic flights. It has the most extensive amenities, including The Wings Transit Lounge, which offers capsule or bunk beds, showers, a lounge, a spa, and a computer corner. Terminal 3 is also where you can find the NAIA-Clark P2P bus terminal for travel between NAIA and Clark Airport.
NAIA Terminal 4
NAIA Terminal 4 currently serves airlines such as AirSWIFT, SkyJet Airlines, Cebgo, and Sunlight Air. It was previously used by Philippines AirAsia for domestic flights until their operations were moved back to Terminal 2. Terminal 4 is currently closed for rehabilitation.
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Transport to and from NAIA
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is not currently connected to any mass public transport systems. However, there are still several transport options available for getting to and from the airport.
Taxi
There are several taxi services available from NAIA, including regular metered taxis (which are white), airport-accredited yellow metered taxis, and coupon taxis with fixed rates. Taxi rates in Manila start at PHP 40 for the flag down, PHP 13.50 per kilometre, and PHP 2 per minute of waiting time.
Private transfer
If you are staying in a hotel in Manila, you may be able to arrange a private transfer through your accommodation. Some hotels offer this service for free, while others may charge a fee. You can also book private transfers to popular destinations in the city via apps like Klook.
Bus
There are several bus options available for transport to and from NAIA. UBE Express is a premium airport bus service that offers daily trips from NAIA Terminal 3 to various locations in Manila. There are also point-to-point (P2P) buses and inter-terminal buses that connect all four NAIA terminals. The bus company Genesis provides P2P bus services between NAIA and Clark International Airport for PHP 350.
Ride-hailing app
Grab is a popular ride-hailing app in Southeast Asia that can be used for airport transfers to and from NAIA. The app allows you to schedule rides in advance, book a metered taxi, or get matched with another passenger headed in your direction to save on fares.
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NAIA's airport facilities
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also known as Manila International Airport (MIA), is the main international airport serving Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is located between the cities of Pasay and Parañaque, about 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) south of Manila. NAIA is the Philippines' busiest airport and the main operating base for AirSWIFT, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, and Philippines AirAsia. It is also a hub for Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express and AirSWIFT.
NAIA has four passenger terminals. Terminal 1 serves almost all international flights, with west gates 1-7 and east gates 9-15. Terminal 2 houses international and domestic flights of the country's flag carrier, Philippine Airlines or PAL. Terminal 3 serves international flights not handled in Terminal 1, as well as some domestic flights. Terminal 4 is located in Pasay, near the Cebu Pacific Office, AirAsia office, and LTO Land Transportation Office.
NAIA offers various facilities and services to passengers, including shops, restaurants, money changers, free Wi-Fi, information desks, lounges, and baby care facilities. The airport provides ground transportation options such as local and city buses, taxis, rail (Light Rail Transit System), and shuttle services. Car rental services are also available.
Due to its high passenger volume, NAIA has been operating beyond its designed capacity, resulting in air traffic congestion and flight delays. To address this, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC) has been overseeing the airport's operation and rehabilitation since September 2024. Construction projects, such as the New Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan, and the upgrade of Sangley Point Airport, aim to reduce congestion at NAIA.
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NAIA's reputation as the world's worst airport
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the main airport serving the Greater Manila Area in the Philippines. It is located about 7 km (3.4 miles) south of the city and southwest of Makati Central Business District. NAIA has a reputation for being the world's worst airport, a title that has been attributed to a range of issues including congestion, delays, poor comfort, and sanitation.
NAIA has been described as a "large and often frustrating airport" with common complaints from passengers including a lack of organisation, long lines, overcrowding, a lack of seats at departure gates, and delayed luggage release. The airport has also been criticised for its limited food and beverage options, with many stalls only accepting cash payments, which has been deemed inconvenient for tourists and passengers.
In a study by the global luggage storage app Bounce, NAIA was ranked as the worst airport in the world for business class travellers, with a score of 0.88 out of 10. The study considered the number of lounges, destinations served, percentage of on-time flights, and Skytrax rating. NAIA performed poorly in these categories, with Skytrax noting that the airport is congested, with excessive immigration and security queues, and limited facilities and dining options.
Another study by Compare the Market also ranked NAIA poorly, giving it a score of 0.24 on a scale of zero to 10. The airport received particularly low scores for efficiency, accessibility, service, and cleanliness. NAIA was also evaluated based on its flight report total and Skytrax rating, where it trailed behind other Southeast Asian airports like Singapore's Changi Airport and Thailand's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Despite these criticisms, it is important to note that there have been efforts to improve NAIA's infrastructure and management. The New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., led by San Miguel Corp., has taken over the responsibility of managing the airport, with plans to scale up its passenger capacity and flight movement. Additionally, there are two nearby construction projects underway to reduce congestion at NAIA, including the development of the New Manila International Airport and the upgrade of Sangley Point Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is located 7 kilometres (3.4 miles) south of Manila.
You can get to Manila from NAIA by bus, taxi, rail or shuttle.
Terminal 1 handles most international flights and is the busiest terminal at NAIA, accommodating an average of 6 million passengers each year.
