NAIA has new terminal assignments starting April

Manila, Philippines – The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has announced on Sunday the new terminal assignments at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) amid the second phase of its Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program.

In a statement, MIAA said that under the STAR program, international flights will be reassigned to Terminals 1 and 3, where there is a wider selection of food and retail stores for passengers.

The said transfer would help increase the capacity of Terminal 2, which the MIAA recently announced will be converted into an all-domestic terminal.

With this move, MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong said they expect a significant increase in Terminal 2’s capacity from 7.5 million to 10 million passengers a year, which is 20 to 25 percent more than its current rate.

Based on the new scheme, MIAA will be able to assist Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) in improving its manpower deployment in Terminals 1 and 3 by realigning their people to the said terminals.

Beginning April 16, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, China Southern Airlines, and Starlux Airlines will be transferred to Terminal 3.

On the other hand, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will relocate its flights to and from Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh to Terminal 1 on the same day.

On June 1, Ethiopian Airlines and Jeju Air will move to Terminal 3, while all other international flights of Philippine Airlines will move to Terminal 1 on June 16.

Meanwhile, for the third phase of the STAR program, all domestic flights of Philippines AirAsia will be operated from NAIA Terminal 2 beginning July 1.

The MIAA also announced that while it works on further expanding the capacity of Terminal 2, domestic operations of Cebu Pacific will remain in Terminals 3 and 4 in the meantime.

Chiong also warned passengers that the program may cause some minor inconveniences, but vowed that the MIAA will strive for a “seamless transition.”

“The STAR program is a well-studied undertaking. We met with affected airlines and stakeholders to make sure they come up with their readiness plan as part of these changes. We advised them to get in touch with their affected passengers so they can inform them of the new terminal assignments,” he added.

As they plan for a “seamless transition, he also appealed for understanding to the general public for “some minor inconveniences” during the said period, adding that it is part of their strategic program “to improve the overall experience of our customers.”