Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the busiest airport in the Philippines. It is divided into three terminals. Terminal 1 which caters international planes, Terminal 2 which caters Philippine airlines, and Terminal 3 which caters mostly Cebu Pacific Air. NAIA is popular but not in a good way. In the recent years and up to now it is facing issues about passenger safety and air traffic that causes delays. So with all of these happening and me travelling to the airport everytime I go to a place- I have come up with 5 travel hacks that will make your experience in NAIA less hassle free.
So here is a run-down of the 5 travel hacks I have come up in surviving Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
1. BOOK FLIGHTS THAT WILL ARRIVE OR LEAVE EARLY MORNING OR BEFORE 9AM
This is a big life saver. As an avid traveller I have observed that flights arriving in NAIA later than 9am will 80% be delayed. It is because of air traffic congestion (you think traffic only happen on roads..well in the clouds it occurs too!).
Usually it is not the airline's fault that the flight is delayed. It''s just because there are too many airplanes flying in and out of NAIA that causes these delays and take 2-3 hours off of your travel schedule.
2. ALWAYS PADLOCK ALL OF YOUR BAGS
In all honesty I am trying to be real here- NAIA is known to be a "laglag-bala" (bullet dropping) place. NAIA is currently facing a big issue and it is all about the "laglag-bala" scam. It is said that employees of the airport are putting bullets on your bags without your knowledge, so when it is checked by security you'll be charge of bringing firearms or weapons. Thus, it will create hassle and these employees will try to bribe you by asking money in order for your release.
So in order to avoid this hassle scam, always double check your bags and secure it in the best possible way you can. Padlock it, duct tape it, or even cover it with plastic roll.
3. BE ON THE AIRPORT 2-3 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE
I always have no problem with my check-in process in NAIA, good thing I'm patient when it comes to lining up in counters. This travel hack is not about the airport itself but the traffic in the surrounding roads of the airport. NAIA is located in the capital of the Philippines so expect a lot of traffic. Sometimes these traffic will cause you to miss a flight. So always be early and no laziness or procrastination allowed in this place.
4. ONLINE CHECK-IN
This travel hack is a follow-up on the third travel hack. If you don't want to stay long in the airport, you might as well try this option. Online check-in is a new trend in this generation of travellers. If you don't have check-in baggages with you or you only carry a hand carry baggage, then this option will work fine with you.
Just download the app of the airline you are flying with, and follow their online check-in instructions and you're good to go. With this, you might somewhat save an hour of hassleness and lining up in the counters.
5. AVOID CONNECTING FLIGHTS
NAIA is unpredictable, so as much as possible avoid booking connecting flights that will happen in a day. Always expect a delay when your flying in and out of the airport.
You can try having an overnight or sidetrip in Manila if you want, just try to avoid connecting flights in NAIA that happen in just a day.
So these are the travel hacks that I have come up guys! Always check on the places you'll travel to avoid delays. I have seen a lot of people complain about the airport a couple of times. If we can't do anything to make this airport good again, might as well just avoid it or adjust to it. :)