NAIA-based carriers swap terminals

In a bid to manage congestion and optimise usage at Ninoy Aquino International Airport's (NAIA) terminals, various airlines and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) have announce that they would operate out of different terminals.  These movements are part of MIAA’s Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) programme.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3

Image source: Patrick Roque / Wikimedia

Amongst the biggest transfers involve international flights of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL).  Currently, the carrier has split its international flights between Terminals 1 and 2 with flights to North America, the Middle East, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali and Singapore in the former.  But starting June 16 2023, all of PAL's international flights will use Terminal 1.  PAL's domestic flights, almost all of which are operated by PAL subsidiary PAL Express, will remain at Terminal 2.  

AirAsia domestic flights (except for flights to Cebu and Caticlan, which operate out of Terminal 3) and Royal Air would join PAL Express at Terminal 2 starting July 1.

Sunlight Air will meanwhile move to Terminal 4 starting July 1 and join Cebu Pacific subsidiary CebGo.

Meanwhile, some foreign carriers have transferred from Terminals 1 and 3.  Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, China Southern Airlines and Starlux Airlines have moved to Terminal 3 since April 16.  Ethiopian Airlines, Jeju Air, Gulf Air, and Thai Airways will join them on June 1.  

According to MIAA authorities, they will provide shuttle busses for passengers with connecting flights involving different terminals.  Still, some vloggers have highlighted the unusual tranfer procedures for those with connecting between international PAL flights across both terminals.

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