Travelers Guide: NAIA Terminal Reassignments starting April 2023

Are you planning a trip soon? If you fly a lot, it might come as a surprise to you to see your favorite airline switch terminals. Don't worry about it; starting in July, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 will become an all-domestic hub as part of the Manila International Airport Authority's Terminal Assignment Rationalization STAR Program.

In a statement released on Sunday, March 26, the MIAA stated that some international flights will be relocated to Terminals 1 and 3 where passengers can take time to enjoy a wider choice of food and retail stores and spend more time in duty free shopping as early as April 16.

According to MIAA, it allows officers from Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine to be reassigned to other NAIA terminals and frees up Terminal 2 for domestic flights.

MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong stated that they planning to make a seamless transition and they expect a few minor inconveniences during this period. Hence, he appeals for understanding as this is part of the strategic initiative to improve the overall customer experience.

Beginning on April 16, updated terminal assignments will be made available by PAL, Philippine Airlines announced on Monday that, beginning on April 16, flights from Manila to Cambodia, Vietnam, and Singapore will use Terminal 1 at Ninoy International Airport.

According to a statement, PAL flights to the United States, Guam, Canada, and Bali (Indonesia) will all depart from and arrive at Terminal 1, as will flights to and from Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, and Singapore.

According to the statement made by PAL the transfer of these added routes to Terminal 1 serves as a part of a terminal reassignment program of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to alleviate congestion and enhance passenger convenience at all terminals.

According to the airline, all other PAL domestic and international flights will depart and arrive at NAIA Terminal 2.

Revised Terminal Assignments as of April 16

NAIA Terminal 1 (Departure and Arrival)

• Vietnam - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

• Phnom Penh

• Singapore

• Bali

• Center East - Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Riyadh

• Canada - Toronto, Vancouver

• US - Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu

• Guam

 NAIA Terminal 2 (Departure and Arrival)

• All Buddy Homegrown Flights

• Australia - Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne

• Bangkok

• Korea - Seoul (Incheon), Busan

• Japan - Fukuoka, Tokyo (Haneda), Tokyo (Narita), Osaka (Kansai), Nagoya

• Central area China - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jinjiang, Xiamen, Hong Kong

• Jakarta

• Kuala Lumpur

• Macau

• Port Moresby

• Taipei

For flights withdrawing prior to April 15, the accompanying terminal task will be followed: PAL International flights to and from the United States, Guam, Toronto, Vancouver, Doha, Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam, and Bali use NAIA Terminal 1.

NAIA Terminal 2 - for all Buddy homegrown and worldwide flights, with the exception of trips to/from the US and Guam, Toronto, Vancouver, Doha, Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam and Bali.

International flights to Terminals 1 and 3 on April 16

Starlux Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Scoot, Jetstar Asia, and Jetstar Japan will move to Terminal 3.

On the same day, Philippine Airlines will also move their flights to Singapore, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi to T3. On June 16, 2023, PAL will also move its other international flights to Terminal 3.

Jeju Air and Ethiopian Airlines, two additional international airlines, will move to Terminal 3 on June 1.

Flights Reassignment in a Nutshell

Here's how the STAR program will affect flights from various carriers.

1. Philippine Airlines (PAL)

All foreign flights will be routed through Terminal 1. From April 16, the flag carrier's flights to and from Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh will be relocated to Terminal 1. By June 16, all PAL foreign flights will have been relocated to Terminal 1.

PAL Express, the company's regional brand, will continue to operate local flights from Terminal 2.

PAL has assured that transportation between terminals will be available for connecting flights from domestic to foreign destinations.

2. AirAsia Philippines

From July 1, AirAsia Philippines' domestic operations will be relocated to Terminal 2, freeing up space in the small and frequently overcrowded Terminal 4. AirAsia's domestic flights currently use Terminal 4, while its international flights use Terminal 3.

3. Cebu Pacific Airlines

Cebu Pacific's domestic network will continue to operate out of Terminal 3. Its turboprop aircraft will continue to fly in Terminal 4 under the regional name Cebgo.

4. Airlines from other countries

It also stated that some foreign airlines' operations will be relocated to Terminal 3 to create room for PAL's international flights. Foreign airlines will begin moving from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 on April 16. Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, China Southern Airlines, Starlux Airlines, and Scoot are among the carriers affected.

* Beginning June 1, Ethiopian Airlines and Jeju Air will also relocate to Terminal 3.

Terminal Decongestion and Immigration

These significant changes come on top of terminal reassignments for PAL and AirAsia, which began in December 2022 ahead of the Christmas season.

Authorities believe that with this move, the airport can expect a dramatic increase in capacity of Terminal 2 — from 7.5 million to 10 million passengers a year. This is 20% to 25% more than its current rate. They also said the reassignments would settle the surge in domestic tourism. This is especially true that domestic traffic is already over 110% of pre-pandemic levels. Further, they emphasized that the flight reassignment would streamline immigration process, which has already caused passengers to miss their flights.

They emphasized that rather than having Immigration, Customs, and quarantine operations spread out in three terminals, they would now only be focusing on Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Authorities said approximately 100 immigration officers would be redeployed from Terminal 2 to the other 2 international terminals.

Instead of having Customs, immigration, and quarantine activities dispersed across three terminals, they would instead concentrate on Terminals 1 and 3. Over 100 immigration officials would be redeployed from Terminal 2 to the other two international airports, according to the MIAA authorities.

Improving the country's busiest and most known airport is a significant move. A modern airport is a great help in boosting the tourism of the Philippines. Vacationers, especially foreigners, will be on the lookout for accommodations once they begin arriving. More so, our very own OFWs will be more excited to go home for a vacation and even a trip with their families.

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