The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is seeing a surge in international connectivity as several major airlines launch new routes, according to New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC).
Newly added direct flights now link Manila to cities including Seattle, Brisbane, Paris, Sapporo, Vancouver, and Da Nang. Air France, Air Canada, and Vietjet Airlines have already begun operations at the country’s main gateway. More are on the way — Air India is expected to debut its nonstop service from New Delhi in October, while United Airlines will soon double its daily flights to San Francisco.
Also recently launched were flights to Chiang Mai, Thailand, further expanding NAIA’s reach across the Asia-Pacific.
NNIC president Ramon Ang credited these developments to ongoing upgrades at the airport. “We are scoring quick wins where we can by improving systems, facilities and passenger flow. The result: we are now able to accommodate more flights and reduce congestion at the terminals,” Ang said.
However, as NAIA grows busier, airport authorities are also cracking down on transport-related scams. Eight motorcycle taxis and two regular taxis were caught last week for overcharging passengers.
“Overcharging and illegal contracting tarnish the reputation of NAIA as the country’s primary gateway,” said Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy of the Aviation Security Group.
Authorities said they are responding to persistent complaints from both local and foreign travelers, stepping up enforcement against abusive transport services.
