Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA /ˈnaɪə/ NA-YAH, locally /nɑː.ˈiː.jə/ NA-ee-YAH; Tagalog pronunciation: [nɐˈʔiː.ɐ]; Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Ninoy Aquino; IATA: MNL, ICAO: RPLL), also known as Manila International Airport (MIA), is the main international airport serving Metro Manila in the Philippines. Located between the cities of Pasay and Parañaque, about 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) south of Manila proper and southwest of Makati, it is the main gateway for travelers to the Philippines and serves as a hub for PAL Express and Philippine Airlines. It is also the main operating base for AirSWIFT, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, and Philippines AirAsia.
Manila International Airport was officially renamed after former Philippine senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., who was assassinated at the airport on August 21, 1983. NAIA is managed by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), an agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
NAIA and Clark International Airport in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, both serve the greater metropolitan area. Clark caters mainly to low-cost carriers because its landing fees have been lower ever since former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called for Clark to replace NAIA as the Philippines’ primary airport. NAIA is operating beyond its designed capacity of 35 million passengers, clogging air traffic and delaying flights. As a result, it has consistently been ranked as one of the world’s worst airports. A private consortium will oversee the airport’s operation and rehabilitation from September 2024. Additionally, two nearby airports are under construction to reduce congestion at NAIA: New Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan and Sangley Point Airport in Cavite City.
In 2023, NAIA served 45.3 million passengers, forty-seven percent more than the previous year, making it the busiest airport in the Philippines.
