IndianAirports.com
Powered by Google TranslateTranslate
MNL · large airport

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Manila (Pasay), Philippines

Airports
MNLlarge airport

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Manila (Pasay), Philippines
Explore Manila (Pasay) city guide Navigate to this airport
193
Routes out
78
Destinations
RPLL
ICAO
75 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

The Philippines' primary international gateway serving Manila.

Opened
1948
Location
Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the main international airport serving Metro Manila and the primary gateway to the Philippines. Named after assassinated senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr., it handles the vast majority of international and domestic air traffic in the country. The airport operates four terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 4, each handling different carriers and routes. Despite its critical role, NAIA has long been recognized as one of the busiest and most congested airports in Asia, with capacity constraints that have spurred ongoing government discussions about expansion and replacement. The airport is located in Pasay City within Metro Manila, and serves tens of millions of passengers annually. Plans for a new Manila airport to eventually replace or supplement NAIA have been in development for several years.
Terminals
NAIA operates four separate terminals—T1 handles most foreign carriers, T2 serves Philippine Airlines, T3 serves Cebu Pacific and others, and T4 handles small domestic operations.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include metered taxis, ride-hailing services, airport buses, and the nearby EDSA corridor, though a direct rail link to the city center is not yet fully operational.
Airlines here
Philippine Airlines hubs at Terminal 2, while Cebu Pacific operates primarily from Terminal 3; numerous international carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific serve Terminal 1.
Notable facts
  • Named after Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr., who was assassinated at the airport on August 21, 1983.
  • Consistently ranked among the world's most congested airports relative to its designed capacity.
  • The four terminals are not directly connected, requiring passengers to use ground transport when transferring between them.
  • NAIA handled approximately 47 million passengers in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced traffic.
  • The Philippine government has been pursuing development of a new international airport (New Manila International Airport in Bulacan) to relieve pressure on NAIA.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Manila's storied gateway connecting the Philippines to the wider world

Ninoy Aquino International Airport, named after slain Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., has served as the Philippines' primary international hub since the 1940s and sits in Pasay City on the outskirts of Metro Manila. It handles tens of millions of passengers annually across four terminals, making it one of Southeast Asia's busiest airports. Despite longstanding criticisms of congestion, ongoing modernization efforts continue to reshape the airport's capacity and passenger experience.

Terminals
  • Terminal 1 — The oldest international terminal, handling select foreign carriers with a dated but functional layout undergoing periodic upgrades.
  • Terminal 2 — Dedicated primarily to Philippine Airlines international and select domestic flights, offering a more streamlined experience.
  • Terminal 3 — The most modern terminal, serving Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines domestic routes, and several international carriers with expanded retail and dining.
  • Terminal 4 — The smallest terminal, handling budget domestic carriers and charter flights with basic amenities.
Ground Transport
  • NAIA Expressway toll road connecting directly to Metro Manila's highway network
  • Metered taxis and accredited airport taxi services available at all terminals
  • GRAB app-based ride-hailing widely used and available at designated pick-up zones
  • Hotel shuttle buses operated by partner hotels near the airport
  • Public utility jeepneys and buses on EDSA and surrounding major roads
  • Car rental desks available at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3
Nearby Hotels
  • Marriott Hotel Manila (Newport City, adjacent to Terminal 3)
  • Remington Hotel (Newport City complex)
  • Holiday Inn Manila Galleria
  • Microtel by Wyndham Newport Boulevard
  • Citadines Connect Manila Airport
Dining

Inside the terminals, passengers will find a mix of local fast-food staples like Jollibee and Chowking alongside international chains and sit-down Filipino restaurants, though prices are notably higher airside. Terminal 3 offers the widest selection of dining options, including coffee shops and deli-style eateries before and after security. Outside the airport, Newport City's restaurant strip and nearby Pasay commercial areas provide far more affordable and varied Filipino and international cuisine.

Traveller Tips
  • Arrive at least three hours before international departures, as security queues and check-in lines can be exceptionally long during peak hours.
  • Note that the four terminals are not connected — inter-terminal transfers require exiting and taking a terminal shuttle bus or taxi, which can take 20–40 minutes.
  • Keep small bills in Philippine pesos for terminal fees, porter tips, and jeepney fares; some older payment counters do not accept cards.
  • Download the GRAB app before arrival to avoid overcharging by unlicensed taxis, and only use accredited airport taxi counters if not using ride-hailing.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (76 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

MNL → BSO2P · DH4
MNL → BXU2P · 320
MNL → CBO2P · 320
MNL → CGY2P · 320
MNL → CRM2P · DH4
MNL → DGT2P · 320
MNL → DWC2P · 330
MNL → GES2P · 320
MNL → KLO2P · 320
MNL → LGP2P · 320
MNL → MPH2P · DH3
MNL → OZC2P · 320
MNL → PPS2P · 320
MNL → RXS2P · 320
MNL → SUG2P · DH4
MNL → TUG2P · DH4
MNL → ZAM2P · 320
MNL → KIX3K · 320
MNL → SIN3K · 320
MNL → BCD5J · 320 319
MNL → BKI5J · 320
MNL → BKK5J · 320
MNL → BWN5J · 320
MNL → BXU5J · 320
MNL → CAN5J · 320
MNL → CBO5J · 319 320
MNL → CEB5J · 319 320 330 ATR
MNL → CGK5J · 320
MNL → CGY5J · 320 319
MNL → CYZ5J · 319
MNL → DGT5J · 319
MNL → DPL5J · 320 319
MNL → DPS5J · 320
MNL → DVO5J · 320 330
MNL → DXB5J · 330
MNL → GES5J · 320
MNL → HAN5J · 319
MNL → HKG5J · 320
MNL → HKT5J · 320
MNL → ICN5J · 330
MNL → ILO5J · 320 319
MNL → KIX5J · 320
MNL → KLO5J · 320 ATR 319
MNL → KUL5J · 320
MNL → LAO5J · 319
MNL → LGP5J · 320 319
MNL → MFM5J · 319
MNL → MPH5J · ATR
MNL → NGO5J · 320
MNL → NRT5J · 320
MNL → OZC5J · 320
MNL → PAG5J · 319 320
MNL → PEK5J · 320
MNL → PPS5J · 320 319
MNL → PUS5J · 320
MNL → PVG5J · 320
MNL → REP5J · 320
MNL → RXS5J · 320
MNL → SGN5J · 320
MNL → SIN5J · 330 320
Hotels near MNL

Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.

Compare stays for your dates

IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.

City & Place Guide

No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via MNL? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Philippines from official government sources.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as Manila Airport or Manila International Airport (MNL), is the main international airport serving Metro Manila in the Philippines. Located between the cities of Pasay and Parañaque, about 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) south of Manila proper and southwest of Makati, it is the main gateway for travelers to the Philippines. It serves as a hub for Philippine Airlines and its regional subsidiary PAL Express. It is also the main operating base for Cebu Pacific, and Philippines AirAsia.

Read full article on Wikipedia