NAIA improves ranking in world's most internationally-connected airports
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has secured third spot among the top 25 low-cost carrier airport megahubs in the world, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) disclosed on Sunday, Sept. 24.
MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co also revealed that the NAIA ranked 15th in the top 50 list of global airport megahubs based on the 2023 Megahubs Index of the Official Airline Guide (OAG), a leading provider of digital flight information, intelligence and analytics for airports.
According to the 2023 Megahubs Index, NAIA known by its International Air Transport Association (IATA) code, MNL, has climbed from 29th place in 2019 to 15th place this year in terms of international connectivity.
The flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, emerged as the dominant air carrier with a 32 percent share of flights.
In this list, led by the United Kingdom's London Heathrow Airport, NAIA also ranks 6th among the top international megahubs in the Asia Pacific region, following KUL (Malaysia), HND (Japan), ICN (Republic of Korea), BKK (Thailand), and SIN (Singapore).
“We are pleased that MNL is able to ride the momentum brought about by the strong and consistent travel rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the LCC penetration in our region. We are likewise grateful for the confidence the international carriers have extended to us. Testament to this is the growing number of applications from various international carriers who wish to operate flights in NAIA,” said Co.
“NAIA being the country’s main gateway makes it incumbent upon us, as the airport authority, to expand the destinations Filipinos, as well as our guests, can fly to and from MNL,” he added.
Currently, the NAIA hosts 40 international carriers serving 58 international destinations. The latest addition to NAIA’s roster in 2023 is ZIPAIR, which launched its first flight between Manila and Narita last July. Additionally, Philippine Airlines has introduced nonstop flights to Perth, and Air China now directly connects Tianfu Chengdu to NAIA.
Among the top 25 megahubs for low-cost international connections this year, MNL stands out in 3rd place, trailing only KUL (Malaysia) and ICN (Republic of Korea). MNL is the home of Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ leading low-cost carrier (LCC), which will be launching flights to Da Nang, a new destination from Manila, beginning December 7th. Thirteen Asia Pacific airports, including MNL, dominate the rankings, reflecting the high level of LCC penetration in South Asia and Southeast Asia.