The 30 largest airports and airlines in the Philippines

The 30 biggest airports in the Philippines

Manila: Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Manila Airport (NAIA) is one of the largest and most complex airports in the world. The 4 individual terminals are the result of an "evolved structure" in which necessary expansions were always carried out as they were needed. The main reason for this is the location in the densely built-up urban area, which hardly allows for any expansion. Initially, the airport was purely a military airport for the US Army. It was not until 1948 that it became a small regional airport, which received its first international runway another 5 years later. Since then, several passenger and cargo terminals, towers and numerous supply facilities have been added.

As early as 1981, the passenger volume was limited to just 4.5 million. Today, it is 10 times that number, although there is barely enough space. This has consequences for passengers: in order to get from one arrival terminal to the next departure terminal during a stopover, a complete check-out including baggage collection is usually necessary. You then take the airport shuttle through the city around the outside of the airport to the correct terminal, where you check in again, including baggage and all security measures. Even at night, you should allow for a transfer time of at least 3 hours.

Clark Airport in Angeles City, 75 kilometers to the north, was initially intended to handle part of the traffic volume. In the meantime, a completely new capital city airport with 4 runways is being planned in Bulacan on the northern edge of the Manila metropolitan region.

Freight volume

In 2021, a total of 530.28 million ton-kilometers (= total mass transported in tons multiplied by kilometers traveled) of cargo was moved by air in the Philippines. Ninoy Aquino International Airport alone accounted for around 423,853 metric tons.

Frequent delays for domestic flights

Despite the large number of airports, traveling within the Philippines is often lengthy. From the two airports in Manila and Cebu, you can get to almost any other Philippine airport. Almost all other airports, on the other hand, have very few connections with each other. As a rule, even for simple routes, you first have to reach one of the hubs in order to reach your destination from there with a second flight connection. In addition, low-cost airlines in particular often take off late. If the destination is not at NAIA Airport or abroad, these flights are hardly relevant enough to be treated accordingly. Even with one-hour flight connections, delays of several hours are not uncommon. Travel within the country therefore involves a certain amount of planning, and connecting flights should only be booked with a generous transfer time.

Another special feature is the security standard in the country. The airport buildings, i.e. even the areas in front of the check-in, can only be entered with an existing flight booking. Accompanying or collecting guests have no access here and wait outside.