Manila Airport Ranks Tenth Most Improved Worldwide

UK-based aviation research firm Skytrax has cited the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as one of the 10 most improved airports in the world.  

Image source: Wikimedia

NAIA, which is tenth on the list, is joined by Rome's Fiumicino Airport, Perth Airport, and Calgary International Airport.

This ranking was based on 550 airports around the world and 13 million questionnaires given to travellers.  The criteria included ease of getting to/from the airport, cleanliness, check-in, passport control processing and staff, WiFi services, and departure processes.  

This is a rare sign of good news for NAIA which previously has been ranked among one of the worst airports in the world by websites such as 'The Guide to Sleeping Airports'.  The airport has been plagued with various problems over the years such as air traffic congestion, difficult transport options into/out of the airport, structural defects, and occasionally broken down air-conditioning.  However, management has made efforts to give the airport a facelift, starting with the renovation of Terminal 1.  Other improvements that the airport has witnessed include the new NAIA Expressway that is linked to the existing Metro Manila Skyway and Cavite Expressway.   

In addition various consortia that have partnered with foreign airport carriers are bidding to further improve NAIA.  These include a mega consortium that is considering Changi Airport as a partner, and the existing GMR-Megawide consortium which currently operates the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

This has been the second accolade Skytrax has given the Philippine aviation sector this year.  Earlier this year, it also awarded Philippine Airlines with a four-star rating.

Meanwhile, Skytrax has also released its list of 2018's World's Top 10 Airports.  Singapore's Changi Airport, Seoul's Incheon Airport, and Tokyo's Haneda International Airport topped this list.  

Source: CNN Philippines, Inquirer, Skytrax