Check your flight: Major terminal changes coming to NAIA
New NAIA Infra Corp., the private operator of Manila’s primary gateway, will implement a reorganization of airline terminal assignments to decongest the aging facility and improve passenger flow.
The first phase of the transition, starting March 29, involves moving Air China, China Eastern, Vietnam Airlines, Royal Brunei, and Shenzhen Airlines from Terminal 1 to the larger Terminal 3.
To balance the traffic load, the international operations of Philippines AirAsia and AirAsia Berhad will simultaneously relocate from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1.
A second phase on April 1, 2026, will see Japan Airlines move its entire operation to Terminal 3. These shifts are part of a broader strategy to designate Terminal 3 for full-service international carriers while utilizing Terminal 1 for high-volume traffic.
The terminal reassignments are a critical step in a 25-year concession aimed at doubling the airport’s annual capacity to 62 million passengers.
NNIC, which includes South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corp. as a partner, is investing billions of pesos to upgrade baggage systems and passenger bridges.
Passengers are advised to verify terminal assignments with their airlines before traveling. The operator noted that the changes are essential to maximize existing infrastructure while larger rehabilitation works continue across the four-terminal complex.