Philippines Airports Guide: Manila, Cebu, Davao & Other Major Gateways | Guide to the Philippines (original) (raw)

Airports in Luzon Philippines

Plane lands in airport during sunset

Luzon is the northernmost geographical region in the Philippines. It is home to several Luzon tourist spots and two major airports in the country, NAIA and Clark Airport.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila Airport/Manila International Airport)

Interior of Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Manila Airport Codes - IATA Code: MNL, ICAO: RPLL.

When you arrive in Luzon from an international location, you will most likely land at NAIA (pronounced as na-ee-ya). Often called Manila Airport, NAIA is located in the southern section of Metro Manila. This airport receives the most number of international passengers and services all the major international airlines.

Aside from accommodating international flights, NAIA is the main hub for domestic flights across the country.

Airlines at Manila Airport

NAIA services several airlines that go to and from international destinations:

Manila Airport Terminals

There are four NAIA terminals with different entry points that are not within walking distance of each other. Each terminal serves specific airlines and routes. Here is an overview of the airport terminals:

Manila Airport NAIA Terminal 1

Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Terminal 1

This is the oldest international terminal at NAIA. The majority of international flights land at this terminal, which receives about six million passengers every year.

Manila Airport NAIA Terminal 2

Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Terminal 2

This terminal is also called the Centennial Terminal because it was built to commemorate the Philippines’ 100 years of independence. The national flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, used to operate at Terminal 2 exclusively. However, beginning July 2023, Terminal 2 became a purely domestic terminal and Philippine Airlines now shares it with other airlines with domestic routes, including AirAsia.

Manila Airport NAIA Terminal 3

A plane in Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Terminal 3

Photo by Manila International Airport Authority

Terminal 3 is the newest and biggest of the NAIA terminals. International Cebu Pacific flights are serviced at this terminal. AirAsia flights, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, KLM, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines are the international airlines based in Terminal 3.

Manila Airport NAIA Terminal 4

A plane in Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Terminal 4

Photo by Xavier Summer

Also known as the Old Domestic Terminal, Terminal 4 caters to domestic flights facilitated by airlines like AirAsia Philippines, AirSWIFT, Cebgo, SkyJet, and Sky Pasada.

Destinations accessible from Manila Airport

Manila Airport will give you easy access to the business and commercial districts of Makati and Taguig. You can also head to the capital Manila, which is home to historical spots like Rizal Park, Intramuros (Walled City), and Binondo. You can explore these destinations by booking Intramuros tours.

Batangas, which is home to natural wonders like Taal Volcano, Anilao, and Mt. Maculot, is 85 to 100 km from Manila Airport. From NAIA, you can also head straight to the popular surfing province of La Union (278 km) and Laguna (93 km), a favorite local holiday destination.

Airports in Visayas Philippines

Passengers board a plane at the Ioilo International Airport

Photo by Iloilo Provincial Tourism

Located in the central part of the Philippines, the Visayas is one of the main geographical regions in the country. The Visayas is made up of several islands and is surrounded by the Visayan Sea. Visayas tourist spots are peppered throughout different islands. There is an airport on all prominent islands in the Visayas to make traveling between places easier. These islands are Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Panay, Leyte, Samar, and Palawan.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport and the Iloilo International Airport are considered to be some of the best airports in the Philippines.

Mactan Cebu International Airport (Cebu Airport)

Interior of Mactan-Cebu International Airport

Photo by Mactan-Cebu International Airport / Steve Lee

Cebu Airport Codes - IATA: CEB and ICAO: RPVM

Mactan Cebu International Airport, sometimes called Cebu Airport, is the most well-known airport in the Visayas region. It is also the second primary flight hub in the country.

Covering an area of about 797 hectares, Cebu Airport sits on Mactan Island, particularly within the Lapu-Lapu City territory. It can accommodate about 4.5 million passengers every year.

Airlines in Cebu Airport

This airport serves 36 domestic destinations and 37 international routes. Cebu Airport international flights and airlines include:

Cebu Airport Terminals

Mactan-Cebu International Airport's international departures terminal

Photo by Mactan-Cebu International Airport

There are two terminals within the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Terminal 1 accommodates domestic flights, while Terminal 2 serves as the international flight section. Terminal 2 is renowned for its eye-catching design. It won an award at the World Architecture Festival in 2019.

Destinations Accessible from Cebu Airport

Signs in the Mactan-Cebu International Airport

Photo by Mactan-Cebu International Airport

From Cebu Airport, you can easily reach Cebu City, which is 15 KM away. Cebu City is home to important Philippine historic landmarks like Magellan’s Cross and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. Other Cebu tourist spots accessible from Cebu Airport by land include Osmeña Peak (114 km) and Kawasan Falls (132 km). The beaches in Cebu that can be found in Moalboal (99 km) and Oslob (132 km) are also accessible via land from Cebu Airport. You can also visit Malapascua beaches and Bantayan Island beaches.

The Cebu International Airport facilitates domestic flights to key places in Central Visayas. From here, you can take a short flight to Bohol, home to the famous Chocolate Hills; and Kalibo, gateway to Boracay. You can also fly to prominent cities like Davao, Zamboanga, and General Santos.

Iloilo International Airport (Iloilo Airport)

Iloilo International Airport's facade

Photo by Iloilo International Airport

Airport Codes - IATA: ILO, ICAO: RPVI

Opened in 2007, this airport is also referred to as the Cabatuan Airport. It is one of the biggest, busiest, and most modern airports in the country.

The Iloilo International Airport is about 19 km northwest of Iloilo City. It is specifically located along Iloilo Airport Access Road, Cabatuan.

Airlines at Iloilo Airport

Iloilo Airport facilitates four major airlines: Cebu Pacific, Philippines Airlines, Air Asia Philippines, and CebGo. These airlines fly domestic routes from the airport.

Iloilo International Airport services flights to key domestic destinations:

Aside from domestic flights, Cebu Pacific also operates international flights to and from Iloilo. The airport receives international flights from two destinations, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Iloilo Airport Terminal

The airport has one main passenger terminal that measures 13,700 square meters and can accommodate about 1.2 million passengers per year. Experts consider this terminal as one of the most exquisitely designed airport terminals in the country. The terminal has three levels and two halls, the departure and arrival halls. This passenger terminal also features three jet bridges, which can handle 6 aircraft at one time.

Aside from the passenger hall, the Iloilo International Airport has a dedicated three-level cargo terminal that measures about 1,281 square meters. Aside from being a cargo handling area, it also houses various government and airline offices.

Destinations Accessible from Iloilo Airport

Iloilo Airport gives you convenient access to regional attractions like Garin Farm (63 km) and Molo Church (21 km). After landing at this airport, you can arrange land and sea transfers to reach stunning islands like Islas de Gigantes, which is home to Cabugao Gamay Island. You can also use Iloilo Airport as a jumping point to visit Guimaras Island.

You can easily take a short flight from the Iloilo Airport to major cities in the Philippines like Manila, Cebu, and Davao. These cities are gateways to natural wonders like islands, waterfalls, farms, parks, and white sand beaches in the Philippines. They are also commercial capitals that offer insights into regional cultures and ways of life.

Airports in Mindanao Philippines

Plane landing in Davao Intertional Airport

Photo by City Government of Davao

Despite its distance from the country’s political seats, Mindanao remains accessible thanks to the airports located in the busiest cities in this part of the country, making Mindanao tourist spots easily reachable. Davao is home to the largest flight hub in Mindanao. The Bancasi Airport (Butuan) and Zamboanga City International Airport are two Mindanao airports that receive a constant flow of passengers because of their geographical locations.

Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao Airport)

Davao Airport Codes: IATA: DVO, ICAO: RPMD

This Mindanao airport is also known as Davao International Airport. It serves not only Davao City but the rest of the Davao Region. Francisco Bangoy is the busiest airport on Mindanao Island and is connected to Davao City via the Carlos P. Garcia National Highway.

Airlines at Davao Airport

Francisco Bangoy International Airport serves both local and international airline companies.

Its international destinations include Manado, Indonesia via Garuda Airlines, Doha via Qatar Airways, Quanzhou via Xiamenair, Kuala Lumpur via AirAsia, and Singapore via Cebu Pacific and SilkAir.

Domestic airlines operating at Francisco Bangoy include Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, PAL Express, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia Philippines.

Davao Airport Terminal

Interior of Davao International Airport's terminal

Photo by Davao International Airport

Francisco Bangoy International Airport has one massive passenger terminal that features a Malay architectural design. This terminal houses 14 international and 14 domestic check-in counters and four passenger jet bridges. In addition, it also has two arrival halls for domestic and international passengers. Aside from the passenger terminal, Francisco Bangoy also has a dedicated cargo terminal.

Destinations accessible from Davao Airport

Davao Airport gives passengers access to notable Davao tourist spots. These attractions include Mt. Apo (the tallest mountain in the Philippines), Samal Island, and the Philippine Eagle Center. Davao City, which is the third most prominent city in the Philippines, is only about 36 km away from Francisco Bangoy Airport.

From the airport, you can connect to top tourist destinations like the widely popular surfing town of Siargao, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, and the Cagayan de Oro River in Cagayan de Oro. There are also regular flights going to Manila and Cebu. You can also get on a plane from here to Bacolod, the gateway to attractions like The Ruins, Campuestuhan Highlands, and Mt. Kanlaon National Park.

Other International Airports in the Philippines

Subic Bay International Airport

Photo by Subic Bay International Airport

The Philippines has several operational international airports that serve commercial flights. This article has already discussed NAIA, Clark, Mactan-Cebu, Iloilo, and Francisco Bangoy Airport. The others are in this Philippine airport list:

Laoag International Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: LAO, ICAO: RPLI)

Area of Service: General area of Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Subic Bay International Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: SFS, ICAO: RPLB)

Area of Service: Metro Manila and Pampanga. Serves as a secondary and diversion airport

Puerto Princesa International Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: PPS, ICAO: RPVP)

Area/s of Service: general area of Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Kalibo International Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: KLO, ICAO: RPVK)

Area/s of Service: general area of Kalibo and Boracay Island of Aklan

Bohol–Panglao International Airport (also known as New Bohol International Airport)

Airport Codes: IATA: TAG, ICAO: RPSP)

Area/s of Service: general area of Tagbilaran and Panglao Island, Bohol

Bicol International Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: DRP, ICAO: RPLK

Area of Service: Legazpi, Albay, and the general area of the Bicol Region

General Santos International Airport (also called Tambler Airport)

Airport Codes: IATA: GES, ICAO: RPMR

Area of Service: General Santos City and Soccsksargen ( South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos). or Region XII

Zamboanga International Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: ZAM, ICAO: RPMZ)

Area of Service: Zamboanga City

There are three other airports in the Philippines that are classified as international airports. However, these airports currently serve international charter flights or seasonal flights and not full international commercial flights. They are:

Bacolod–Silay Airport (Bacolod-Silay International Airport)

Airport Codes IATA: BCD, ICAO: RPVB

Area of Service: Metro Bacolod, Western Visayas

Serves only seasonal international flights

Cagayan North International Airport (Lal-lo International Airport)

Airport Codes IATA: LLC, ICAO: RPLH

Area of Service: Cagayan Special Economic Zone

Serves international charter flights to and from Macau via Royal Air

Laguindingan International Airport (Cagayan de Oro Laguindingan International Airport)

Airport Codes IATA: CGY, ICAO: RPMY

Area of Service: Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Marawi, and most of Northern Mindanao

Domestic Airports in the Philippines

Plane in Legazpi airport

Here are the principal domestic airports in the Philippines:

Bancasi Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: BXU, ICAO: RPME

Area of Service: Butuan, Agusan del Norte

Cotabato Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: CBO, ICAO: RPMC

Area of Service: Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao

Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (Tacloban City Airport)

Airport Codes: IATA: TAC, ICAO: RPVA

Area of Service: Tacloban, Leyte

Dipolog Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: DPL, ICAO: RPMG

Area of Service: Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte

Dumaguete–Sibulan Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: DGT, ICAO: RPVD

Area of Service: Sibulan

Naga Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: WNP, ICAO: RPUN

Area of Service: Pili, Camarines Sur

Pagadian Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: PAG, ICAO: RPMP

Area of Service: Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur

Roxas Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: RXS, ICAO: RPVR

Area of Service: Roxas, Capiz

San Jose Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: SJI, ICAO: RPUH

Area of Service: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Tuguegarao Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: TUG, ICAO: RPUT

Area of Service: Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

Evelio Javier Airport (Antique/San Jose Airport)

Airport Codes: IATA: EUQ, ICAO: RPVS

Area of Service: San Jose de Buenavista, Antique

Basco Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: BSO, ICAO: RPUO

Area of Service: Basco (Batan Island), Batanes

Calbayog Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: CYP, ICAO: RPVC

Area of Service: Calbayog, Samar

Camiguin Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: CGM, ICAO: RPMH

Area of Service: Mambajao, Camiguin

Catarman National Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: CRM, ICAO: RPVF

Area of Service: Catarman, Southern Samar

Cuyo Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: CYU, ICAO: RPLO

Area of Service: Magsaysay (Cuyo Island), Palawan

Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga Airport)

Airport Codes: IATA: USU, ICAO: RPVV

Area of Service: Coron (Busuanga Island), Palawan

Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (Caticlan Boracay Airport)

Airport Codes: IATA: MPH, ICAO: RPVE

Area of Service: Malay/Nabas, Aklan

Jolo Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: JOL, ICAO: RPMJ

Area of Service: Jolo, Sulu

Loakan Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: BAG, ICAO: RPUB

Area of Service: Baguio, Benguet

Marinduque Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: MRQ, ICAO: RPUW

Area of Service: Gasan, Marinduque

Moises R. Espinosa Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: MBT, ICAO: RPVJ

Area of Service: Masbate, Masbate

Ormoc Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: OMC, ICAO: RPVO

Area of Service: Ormoc, Leyte

Sanga-Sanga Airport (Tawi-Tawi Airport)

Airport Codes: IATA: TWT, ICAO: RPMN

Area of Service: Bongao, Tawi-Tawi

Sayak Airport (Siargao Airport)

Airport Codes: IATA: IAO, ICAO: RPNS

Area of Service: Del Carmen (Surigao Island), Siargao, Surigao del Norte

CAAP Surigao Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: SUG, ICAO: RPMS

Area of Service: Surigao City, Surigao del Norte

Tandag Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: TDG, ICAO: RPMV

Area of Service: Tandag, Surigao del Sur

Tugdan Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: TBH, ICAO: RPVU

Area of Service: Alcantara (Tablas Island), Romblon

Virac Airport

Airport Codes: IATA: VRC, ICAO: RPUV

Area of Service: Virac

Tips for hassle-free travel

Before you book flights to and in the Philippines, make sure you can meet the Philippine airport requirements., Apart from securing the Philippines travel requirements, you must also be aware of and follow Philippine airport rules.

Airport baggage rules in the Philippines

The Philippine airport baggage rules depend on the airline you are flying with and the ticket you have booked. In general, you are allowed one cabin baggage that weighs a maximum of 7 kg. Double-check with your airline before your flight to avoid paying additional fees at the airport.

What to pay in Philippine airports

All travelers transiting via Philippine airports must pay a Philippine airport tax, more commonly known as a terminal fee. The amount depends on the airport you are transiting from. This is usually included in your airfare, and you don’t need to pay for it at the airport.

Travelers also need to pay a travel tax when leaving the Philippines. Non-immigrant foreigners who have stayed in the country for less than a year are exempted from paying this. The travel tax varies depending on your ticket class. You can pay for this online or at the airport.

What not to bring to Philippine airports

Philippine airport prohibited items vary from airport to airport, but in general, firearms, stunning devices, toxic substances, and explosives are not allowed.

View of Manila City from a plane

When exploring the Philippines, you will most likely fly more compared to other countries. After all, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to get around a country with thousands of islands. The good news is domestic airlines keep flight prices relatively affordable to accommodate millions of Filipinos flying every year.

Make sure to plan ahead and learn enough about the Philippine airports and the terminals you’re landing in. This small act of proactiveness will save you a lot of stress and headaches in the long run.