Ninoy Aquino International Airport: The Face of the Philippines

Written by: Emilio

Edited by: Alexis

Welcome to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. When you step into the airport, it does not take long for you to realize that Efficiency Airways does not fly here. As many ISM students are frequent flyers, traveling nearly every holiday, we are no strangers to the hassle of flying in and out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, or NAIA. At NAIA, smooth travel takes a nosedive as a result of congestion and overcrowding, infrastructure issues, flight delays, and accessibility, among many others. The Philippine government should finally commit to the renovation and rehabilitation of NAIA, changing the first interaction that tourists have with the Philippines. 

For starters, from January to September of 2023, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which oversees NAIA, recorded 33,757,646 domestic and foreign travelers (Manila International Airport Authority). With only three comparatively small terminals, totaling only 65 hectares, few immigration booths, and a lack of staff, this is simply a recipe for disaster. Passengers often find themselves waiting in long check-in lines, as well as immigration lines. The Philippines should make an effort to change this as this is the first thing the world sees when they step on Filipino soil! With all our beautiful beaches and stunning mountains, tourists’ first impression of the Philippines is stress and inconvenience. The Philippine government should not wait any longer and should take action to improve the image foreigners have of the Philippines. In turn, the Philippines can expect to see a boost in the slow revival of the tourism industry as more foreigners will have an incentive to visit the Philippines if the airport is (at least) not aggravating. 

Furthermore, NAIA is far from appealing. Since the opening of NAIA in 1948 (“Ninoy Aquino International Airport”), the MIAA has only conducted a few renovations, such as including more restaurants in the airport, none of which were substantial. I guess you could say that the only thing consistent about NAIA is how it has maintained its rustic, old, brown color. This has, created a gray and often uncomfortable atmosphere, especially for those who are used to the Middle Eastern and East Asian airports that boast columns made of gold and spotless floors. However, it is important to take note that the Philippines, given that we are a developing nation, does not have the capacity to build an airport that could rival said airports. Despite this, it is important to note other airports in the Philippines, including the Mactan-Cebu Airport, that are not only modern and traditional but also efficient. The Mactan-Cebu airport has even been named the best airport in Asia under the five million passenger capacity (“Mactan-Cebu Airport Named Best in Asia”). 

Moreover, NAIA is also well-known for its flight delays. When flying out of NAIA, many ISM students share the sentiment that you don’t need to be early as the flight is going to be delayed anyway! Similarly, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is often referred to as “Plane Always Late” (PAL), simply showing the extent of NAIA and, in turn, PAL’s constant flight delays. Many ISM students who left Manila during the recent Christmas holidays reported that they waited as many as five hours at the airport due to flight delays. NAIA’s flight delays are often attributed to the fact that it only has one runway for all three terminals to accommodate its already overcrowded airport. Flight delays are so extensive that NAIA has been ranked as the third most stressful airport in Asia (Cristina Eloisa Baclig). 

If the Philippine government is truly serious about giving the face of the Philippines a makeover and reviving its tourism industry, which is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, the government should take action immediately, addressing the airport’s pressing issues. Though it is much too late, ISM students and the Philippines as a whole will surely welcome any renovation or rehabilitation of NAIA. In the meantime, ISM students can expect to be waiting long hours at an inconvenient, stressful, and aged airport. 

Works Cited

Super User. “NAIA’s Passenger Volume in First Three Quarters of 2023 Exceeds 2022’s Full-Year Totals; September’s Flight On-Time Performance Matches 2023’s Highest Rate.” Miaa.gov.ph, 2023, http://www.miaa.gov.ph/index.php/announcements/press-release/4342-naia-s-passenger-volume-in-first-three-quarters-of-2023-exceeds-2022-s-full-year-totals-september-s-flight-on-time-performance-matches-2023-s-highest-rate#:~:text=The%20Manila%20International%20Airport%20Authority,total%20passenger%20volume%20of%2030%2C943%2C105. Accessed 24 Jan. 2024.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Ninoy Aquino International Airport.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Jan. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninoy_Aquino_International_Airport. Accessed 24 Jan. 2024.

“Mactan-Cebu Airport Named Best in Asia.” Philstar.com, Philstar.com, 16 Feb. 2023, http://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/17/2245458/mactan-cebu-airport-named-best-asia. Accessed 24 Jan. 2024.
Cristina Eloisa Baclig. “NAIA Third Most Stressful Airport in Asia – Study.” INQUIRER.net, INQUIRER.net, Dec. 2022, newsinfo.inquirer.net/1707816/naia-third-most-stressful-airport-in-asia-study. Accessed 24 Jan. 2024.