NAIA expands international routes as new carriers enter Manila hub

Insider Spotlight

• NAIA adds new direct route to Da Nang, Vietnam via PAL
• Air India, United Airlines, and others to launch more flights
• Passenger traffic, airline activity up under new management

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is seeing a steady increase in international flights and airline activity, reflecting improved global confidence in the Philippines as a hub for travel and business.

Driving the news: Philippine Airlines launched a new direct flight to Da Nang, Vietnam, on July 1, marking the latest expansion in NAIA’s international connectivity under the management of New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC).

“We are scoring quick wins where we can by improving systems, facilities, and passenger flow. The results: we are now able to accommodate more flights and reduce congestion at the terminals,” said NNIC president Ramon Ang.

Ramon Ang

The NNIC chief said improved efficiency is allowing the airport to accommodate more flights.

Why it matters:

The growing number of international routes signals rising demand from travelers and businesses, and underscores how infrastructure reforms are enabling NAIA to catch up to regional peers.

By the numbers:

• Over 1.17 million passengers traveled through NAIA during Holy Week 2025 — a 12.7-percent increase from the previous year.
• On-time performance reached 83.28 percent over that period.
• A new Terminal 5 is being constructed to raise annual capacity to 62 million passengers.
• Air traffic handling will rise from 40–42 to 48 movements per hour.

What’s happening:

PAL’s Manila–Da Nang service joins a string of recent route launches, including flights to Seattle, Brisbane, Paris, Sapporo, and Vancouver by carriers such as Air France, Air Canada, and Vietjet.

What’s next:

• Air India will launch direct flights from New Delhi in October.
• United Airlines is set to add a second daily service to San Francisco.
• New regional routes include service to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

What they’re saying:

NNIC said ongoing improvements in efficiency and passenger processing are key to handling the higher traffic. These include clearing abandoned aircraft, expanding food and retail areas, and upgrading baggage and check-in systems.

The company is also supporting the rollout of biometric e-gates at immigration counters to reduce wait times during peak hours and enhance airport security.

The bottom line:

NAIA’s push to modernize its operations is beginning to translate into measurable growth in flights, passengers, and international airline partnerships.

— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas