PASAY CITY – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) rose to the top of the list of the World’s Most Internationally Connected Airports.
Known by its International Air Transport Association (IATA) code MNL, NAIA ranked 15th among the top 50 global airport megahubs and earned 3rd place among the top 25 low-cost carrier airport megahubs.
According to the 2023 Megahubs Index by OAG, a leading provider of digital flight information, intelligence, and analytics for airports, MNL climbed from 29th place in 2019 to 15th place this year in terms of international connection.
The flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, emerged as the dominant air carrier with a 32% share of flights.
In this list led by the United Kingdom’s London Heathrow Airport, MNL ranks 6th among the leading international megahubs in the Asia Pacific region, following KUL (Malaysia), HND (Japan), ICN (Republic of Korea ), BKK (Thailand), and SIN (Singapore).
The OAG said, “The presence of seven Asian airport hubs in the Global Top 20 is significant considering that the region is still on the path to full recovery.”
Currently, MNL hosts 40 international carriers serving 58 international destinations.
The latest addition to NAIA’s 2023 list is ZIPAIR, which launched its first flight between Manila and Narita Airport in Japan in July.
Additionally, Philippine Airlines introduced nonstop flights to Perth, and Air China directly connects Tianfu Chengdu to NAIA.
Among the top 25 megahubs for low-cost international connections this year, MNL stands out in 3rd place, just behind KUL (Malaysia) and ICN (Republic of Korea).
MNL is home to Cebu Pacific Air – the Philippines’ leading low-cost carrier (LCC), which will launch flights to Da Nang, Vietnam – a new destination from Manila, starting December 7th.
Thirteen Asia Pacific airports, including MNL, dominate the rankings, reflecting the high level of LCC penetration in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
“We are pleased that MNL is able to ride the momentum brought about by the strong and consistent return of travel from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the entry of LCC into our region. We are also grateful for the confidence given to us by international carriers. The proof of this is the increasing number of applications from various international carriers who want to operate flights at NAIA,” Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co said in English.
“NAIA as the main gateway of the country makes it our duty, as the airport authority, to expand the destinations that Filipinos, as well as our guests, can fly to and from MNL,” added Co.
HK Express is set to launch its inaugural flight between Manila and Hong Kong on October 13, while United Airlines is set to launch nonstop flights connecting Manila to San Francisco starting October 30. (reported by Marlon Luistro)
