Manila Airports

This write-up was actually written not to rate my city’s many air terminals, but primarily to educate some travellers who get confused as to which airport to utilize on different flights. I have actually met a handful of TBs who weren’t properly informed about this matter, so here’s my little share that humbly aims to help those who might need this pieces of information.

Don’t be surprised to find out that Manila has five ( yes you are reading it right... FIVE ) airport terminals which is the very reason why confusion consistently arises. Actually, there are only four technically (and geographically)... but an international airport in a nearby city will be included in the list being the major gateway from most Asian cities to the Philippines’ capital.

Here’s Manila airports 101:

THE NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT I (or NAIA terminal 1... or the old international airport... or the old Manila International Airport)

Used to be the lone international airport of Manila, The Ninoy Aquino International Airport serves majority of the international airlines that fly to and from Manila, generally all flights with the exception of the budget airlines’ and Philippine Airlines’. Here’s a list of the carriers utilizing this terminal:

Air France
KLM
Swissair
Lufthansa
Korean Airways
Cathay Pacific (international flights)
Thai Airways
Singapore Airlines
Malaysian Airlines
Air Macau
Etihad
Emirates Airlines
Qatar Airlines
Saudia
Royal Brunei
Northwest Airlines
Continental
Garuda Indonesia
Hawaiian Air
(and others)

NAIA 1 is only about 7 kilometers away from the city but traffic can be heavy that you will have to allow yourself a substantial amount of time to reach the airport.


THE NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT II ( or NAIA II... or terminal 2... or Centennial airport )

Opened in October 1999, the Centennial airport is perhaps the easiest to remember among all terminals having only Philippine Airlines as its sole inhabitant. ALL PAL domestic and international flights depart and arrive here. Please take note, however, that PAL’s domestic airline partners Air Philippines and PAL Express’ flights do not operate here anymore but HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO MANILA’S NEWEST TERMINAL...


THE NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT III ( or the newest terminal... or terminal 3 )

Fresh from its opening last July 24, 2008, the city’s newest terminal initially serves ( ironically bearing the word International in it’s name) the domestic flights of PAL Express and Air Philippines; and all of Cebu Pacific’s international and domestic flight

THE MANILA DOMESTIC AIRPORT ( or the old Domestic airport )

Chaotic as it may look, the good (?) ol’ Manila domestic airport still stands on it’s original place and continues to serve all other domestic flights such as Asian Spirit, SEA Air and others.

THE DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ( or Clark International Airport )

The Clark Airport is perhaps the fastest growing airport in all of the Philippines. This fast-becoming popular airport situated in the heart of Clark in the province of Pampanga is home to the budget (or low-cost) airlines. As earlier mentioned, it has become the primary international gateway of the Philippines. To date, these are the airlines occupying this terminal:

Air Asia
Asian Spirit
Asiana Airlines
Kang Pacific Airlines
Tiger Airways
TransGlobal Airways

From Manila, there are shuttle buses that operate from SM Megamall in Mandaluyong to the Diosdado Macapagal Airport and back. Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.

Hope this article somehow helps my TB friends and keeps them from being lost. Enjoy Manila! 