NAIA Terminal Reassignments and Upgrades: What Travellers Need to Know

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is set for significant changes following its recent takeover by a consortium led by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) on 14 Sep 2024. With new operators in charge, passengers can expect the NAIA terminal reassignments and upgrades aimed at improving the overall airport experience and increasing capacity.

Also read: Heads Up, Travellers! Potential NAIA Terminal Fee Hike Coming Soon

What we need to know about the NAIA terminal reassignments

San Miguel Corp. announced that travellers could look forward to noticeable improvements in NAIA’s facilities within the next three to six months. The long-term vision includes constructing a new terminal and additional facilities that will boost the airport’s capacity from 35 million to 62 million passengers annually. For now, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the new management body, assures that current operations will remain smooth while these changes are rolled out gradually.

Proposed NAIA Terminal Reassignments

As part of the transformation, NNIC has proposed the following terminal reassignments:

• NAIA Terminal 1: Reserved exclusively for Philippine Airlines' international flights

• NAIA Terminal 2: Dedicated to domestic flights from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific

• NAIA Terminal 3: Will handle all other international flights from Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines

• NAIA Terminal 4: Reserved for AirAsia Philippines’ domestic flights

These changes aim to simplify the flow of passengers and improve terminal efficiency. However, some airlines have clarified that the reassignment process will take time, and passengers should follow their current itineraries until further notice.

Cebu Pacific confirmed that all its domestic and international flights (5J) will remain at Terminal 3, while Cebgo (DG) flights will continue to operate from Terminal 4. The airline also expressed support for NNIC’s long-term vision and pledged to work with the new operator to ensure smooth transitions.

Similarly, AirAsia Philippines clarified that they are still flying domestic routes from Terminal 2 and international flights from Terminal 3. AirAsia reiterated its commitment to enhancing passenger convenience and will continue discussions with NNIC to finalise future terminal changes.

Patience Requested from the Public

As of now, no specific date has been set for when the terminal reassignments will take effect. NNIC President Ramon Ang asked travellers for their patience, as these changes will require time to implement. He emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government, airlines, and airport staff to successfully transform NAIA into a world-class airport that Filipinos can be proud of.

Also read: NAIA Fee Hike Coming Soon: New Operator Promises Big Improvements

Passengers flying in or out of NAIA are advised to stay updated on terminal assignments and check their itineraries closely for any changes. Although major improvements and reassignments are on the way, the current operations remain unchanged for the time being.

With the backing of San Miguel Corp. and the support of key airlines, NAIA is poised to become a more efficient and comfortable hub for millions of travellers.

All image credit goes to Manila International Airport Authority | Official Facebook page