PannLi

Went to MNL last November arriving at terminal 1, the immigration queue is about 45mins - 1hour, most COVID restriction is at ease and the immigration area is not too crowded. Maybe, more people this month until April since it's summer.

jeffrocowboy

the airport authorities have aspirations - but a long way to go

"... its mission of transforming NAIA into a world-class airport."

https://www.miaa.gov.ph/index.php/an...UuKDoe6vudt3V4

Davvidd

I hate to say that it has regressed from the past administration. It is a structural fault in the way the whole thing has been set up. I mean the organizations that work in NAIA and NAIA's own organizational set up. Too much political interference and also NAIA gets blamed for everything that goes on there. The security is supposed to be under OTS. At the same time OTS is also doing the operational side of things in security. OTS is supposed to be the regulatory body. BI is a law onto themselves and so is customs. The Airport Facilitation Committee does not seem to work. The guys there have no experience in running airports. Certainly not outside of the Philippines and do continue to the same thing all over again and fail all over again.

jah718

Hi all, just wanted to update on my experience at MNL for anyone looking to do something similar. I arrived at about 22:30 from DOH on Qatar Airways at T3, and had a departure the next morning from T1. Booked the Belmont Hotel for the night due to the proximity to the airport.

I used the Runway Manila bridge which was easy to find, felt very safe at night and there was even a golf buggy to drive you across. To be honest, had I known how short the bridge was, I would have refused the buggy, it's probably only about a 3 minute walk, but the buggy was a nice touch nonetheless.

At the end of the bridge, you take the elevator down and then about a 50 meter walk to the hotel. Could be a bit difficult if you have a lot of luggage, as there are some curbs. Belmont Hotel was perfectly fine, rooms are small but comfortable. Plenty of stuff around like McDonald's, Lawson convenience store, Starbucks.

The next morning I took a Grab to T1, took about 20 minutes at about 7AM. T1 is an awful terminal, extremely chaotic to get inside. I had access to the PAGSS Lounge, which was honestly one of the worst lounges I have ever been in.

All in all though, a very doable self - connection.

kevino

No longer any baggage security check upon entering T1, though they ask to see your ticket (I assume to make sure you are in the correct terminal). Perhaps the other terminals have also done away with entrance baggage security.

Also, in T1, there is no longer a security person at each of the two forks within the terminal asking to see your BP.

Davvidd

I have to add that the chaos at MNL is also caused by the two big airlines, PR and 5J being extremely stubborn and not moving to the best terminal as per the as the airport is concerned.

clubeurope

As with many airports in the region, I don't think the issue is that black and white... and doesn't 5J already operate most of its flights from Terminal 3?

Davvidd

Yes the plan was to have them operate the domestic out of T4 instead of T3. T3 also to be International only. T3 was designed to be International.

The_Diamond_Z

Wait...T3 was designed?

Davvidd

The current set up yes.Thats what they told me. You might see some some immigration and custom counters etc when you arrive on a domestic flight in T3. The idea was that 5J would move their domestic flights from there to the domestic terminal instead of using T3 for their domestic flights. There was no way PR is going to move from T2. With Bulacan planning to open up around 2027, things may improve. But they also need to make the land transport from Bulacan a lot better than now as it is so congested.

Hunter4vr

Hi all, I'm flying into Manila from Australia and flying out the following day to Qatar (Aussie passport). Do we need to pay the travel tax on departure or is that not required? Has anyone flown out of Manila recently who can advise?

jeffrocowboy

not flown recently - but Tax has always ben included in tickets in all previous trips.

The only tax collected at airport relates to Philippine passport holders residing in PHL and other long term residents. PHL citizens residing outside the PHL apply for an exemption at the airport (a pretty quick process).

Davvidd

True. No tax for foreigners as everything is included in the ticket.

jah718

Did a similar overnight layover recently - in from DOH and depart the next day to TPE and there was no tax to be paid. On an EU passport.

jeffrocowboy

Has anyone used the luggage storage facility in T3. https://www.facebook.com/luggageandmorestorage/

Traveling on a business trip, but wanting a break away at a beach and don't fancy carrying everything with me.