Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

NAIA operates with four passenger terminals. Terminal 1 (opened 1981, originally built 1972) handles international flights and was refurbished in the 2010s. It has 16 aerobridge-equipped gates and serves airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Korean Air, and other foreign carriers. Terminal 2, also known as the Centennial Terminal (opened 1999), was originally built exclusively for Philippine Airlines. It has 12 gates split between north (domestic) and south (international) wings. PAL uses this as its primary hub. Terminal 3 (opened 2008, partially; fully operational 2014) is the largest terminal with 22 gates. It serves Cebu Pacific (as operating base), Philippine Airlines international flights, and foreign carriers including All Nippon Airways, Delta, KLM, and United Airlines. Terminal 4, the old Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal (the oldest terminal), was used by Cebgo and other non-PAL domestic carriers; it was closed in 2023 for demolition and reconstruction as the New Terminal 4. A new Terminal 5 is planned as part of the NAIA privatization and rehabilitation program under New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC), which took over operations in September 2024. The airport has two parallel runways (06/24 at 3,737m and 13/31 at 2,258m). The planned New Manila International Airport in Bulacan (by San Miguel Corporation) is intended as a replacement/gateway complement to NAIA.

NAIA is the primary hub for Philippine Airlines and PAL Express, and an operating base for Cebu Pacific and Philippines AirAsia (now AirAsia Philippines). Major international carriers include Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Etihad Airways. Key domestic routes connect to Cebu (Mactan-Cebu International), Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Bohol-Panglao, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, Laoag, Bacolod, General Santos, Zamboanga, and Legazpi. International routes span Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Seoul (Incheon), Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Beijing, Shanghai, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Riyadh, Jeddah, and many more. Annual passenger traffic was approximately 47u201350 million pre-pandemic (2019), making it one of the 50 busiest airports in the world by passenger volume.

NAIA offers multiple ground transport options. Yellow airport taxis (metered) and coupon taxis (fixed-rate based on destination zone) are available at all terminals. Grab ride-hailing is widely available and can be booked from designated pickup points. UBE Express operates premium airport bus services connecting NAIA to key Metro Manila destinations including Makati, BGC, and entertainment/hotel areas. Regular city buses (Jeepneys and buses) run along Airport Road and Andrews Avenue. The LRT-1 EDSA station is approximately 2km from Terminal 3 and accessible via jeepney or taxi. A direct LRT-1 extension to NAIA is under construction as part of the Cavite extension project, with a planned station at Terminal 3 area. Inter-terminal shuttle buses (free) connect all four terminals. Hotel shuttle services and private point-to-point transfers are also available. Travel times vary dramatically with Metro Manila traffic: to Makati CBD 30u201360 minutes, to BGC 30u201345 minutes, to Ortigas Center 45u201375 minutes, to Clark International Airport 90u2013120 minutes via NLEX. Traffic congestion around NAIA is notoriously severe, especially during peak hours and rainy season.

Proximity to NAIA significantly influences property values in Pasay, Parau00f1aque, Las Piu00f1as, and Makati. The airport area has been a major catalyst for commercial and residential development. Entertainment City (in Parau00f1aque/Bay Area), a government-designified gaming and entertainment zone near the airport, hosts integrated resort-casinos including Solaire Resort, City of Dreams Manila, and Okada Manila. The Manila Bay reclamation area (Bay Area) has seen massive condo development partly driven by airport proximity and Bay views. The NAIA privatization under NNIC (New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation, led by San Miguel Corporation) in 2024 is expected to bring significant airport rehabilitation, potentially boosting surrounding property values further. Conversely, the planned New Manila International Airport in Bulacan could redistribute some demand northward over the long term, though NAIA is expected to continue operating alongside it. Areas along Airport Road, Macapagal Boulevard, and Roxas Boulevard command premium prices due to accessibility.

NAIA directly serves the entire Greater Manila Area (Metro Manila, population ~13+ million). The airport straddles the boundary between Parau00f1aque and Pasay cities. Key project areas within 30 minutes: Parau00f1aque (Aseana City, Entertainment City, BF Homes area), Pasay (Resorts World Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Bay Area reclamation), Makati CBD (premier business district), and BGC/Taguig (emerging business district). Within 1 hour: Las Piu00f1as, Muntinlupa (Alabang business district), Manila (Intramuros, Binondo), Quezon City (selected areas), and Cavite via CAVITEX. NAIA is the primary gateway for foreign investors, OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) families, and Balikbayans, making it the most important transport hub for the Philippine real estate market. Airport proximity is a consistent selling point for condo projects in the Bay Area and surrounding districts.