Naia ascends in ranking for world’s most internationally connected airports

Facade of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) landed in the 15th spot of the 50 most internationally connected airports in the world.

This was based on the 2023 report of the Megahubs Index by OAG, which is a provider of digital flight information, intelligence, and analytics for airports.

Same report showed that Naia was hailed third in the top 25 low-cost carrier airport megahubs and sixth among top international megahubs in the Asia Pacific region.

From the 20th spot in 2022, the country’s flagship airport ranked five places up this year in the most internationally connected airports category while in 2019, it placed in the 29th spot.

No survey was conducted in 2020 and 2021.

“The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has established itself as one of the most internationally connected airports in the world. Known by its International Air Transport Association (IATA) code, MNL, it ranked 15th in the top 50 global airport megahubs and secured the 3rd spot in the top 25 low-cost carrier airport megahubs,” said Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) in a statement on Sunday.

Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom was named as the best internationally connected airport, followed by John F. Kennedy International Airport in the United States, and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands.

Megahubs Index by OAG noted in its report that the presence of seven Asian airport hubs in the first 20 spots of the internationally connected airports list is significant considering that the region is still on the path towards full recovery from the pandemic.

“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,” MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co said.

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“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.

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According to MIAA, Naia currently hosts 40 international carriers serving 58 international destinations.

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The latest addition to its roster this year is ZIPAIR, which launched its first flight between Manila and Narita in July 2023.

Meanwhile, the country’s flagship carrier, Philippine Airlines, was named the nation’s dominant airline with a 32 percent share of flights

JPV