The Philippines has some of the busiest airports in Asia. Following the aggressive campaigns by the Tourism Department in recent years, the country has since enjoyed tremendous growth in terms of tourist arrivals from both the domestic and international markets.
To help you learn more about the local and international airports in the Philippines, check out our list below.
- International Airports
- Principal Domestic Airport Class 1
- Principal Domestic Airport Class 2
- Community Airports
International Airports
All of the airports under this category include airports that are capable of handling international flights or have served international destinations before.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the gateway to Manila and is the largest airport in the Philippines.
The airport is named after Ninoy Aquino, husband of the former president Cory Aquino. In 2016, this international airport underwent some major upgrade in services and facilities. The Philippine government is determined to make this airport one of the best in the world. The airport has 4 terminals and all of them have Wi-Fi access.
Terminal 1 Address: Ninoy Aquino Ave., Pasay, Metro Manila
Terminal 2 Address: NAIA Rd., Pasay, Metro Manila
Terminal 3 Address: Andrews Ave., Pasay, Metro Manila
Terminal 4 Address: Aurora Blvd., Pasay, Metro Manila
Bacolod-Silay International Airport
The airport is designed to handle around one million passengers.
If you are planning to visit the enchanted forests of Negros Oriental then you are surely going to see this airport. Bacolod-Silay International Airport is the main airport serving the metro area of Bacolod and Negros Oriental. It is designed to handle an excess of one million passengers and around 16,715 tons of cargo yearly. It has 21 buildings and a floor space of 10,075 square meters.
Address: Airport Rd., Silay City, Negros Occidental
Clark International Airport
This former US Military Base has been converted into one of the country’s premier airports.
If you do not want to experience the rush in NAIA, you can book at Clark International Airport, also known as the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. This is a historical airport and was once the largest overseas base of the United States Air Force until it was closed down in 1991 and transferred over to the Government of the Philippines.
The airport has three terminals and currently, renovations are being made to improve service. Also, this airport is now easier to access due to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
Address: Andres Bonifacio Ave., Clark Freeport Zone, Mabalacat, Pampanga
Puerto Princesa International Airport
Located in one of the most beautiful places in the world, the Puerto Princesa International Airport serves as the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Puerto Princesa Underground River. It is part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Address: Rizal Ave., Brgy. San Miguel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Mactan–Cebu International Airport
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the second busiest airport in the country.
This airport was originally built by the United States Air Force in 1956 as an emergency airport landing for Strategic Air Command bombers and remained as a Spartan outpost until the Vietnam War.
Now, it is the second busiest airport in the Philippines with over 4.5 million passengers traveling yearly. Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority underwent a redesign in 2009 so that it would be able to handle the increasing volume of passenger traffic.
Address: Lapu-Lapu Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Subic Bay International Airport
It used to be the Naval Air Station Cubi Point of the United States Navy. It is now Asia’s largest private aviation port when it comes to its hangar space of 100,000 square feet.
Address: Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales
Francisco Bangoy International Airport
The airport prides itself for its modern air traffic control tower, which is one of the best in the Philippines.
Known as the Davao International Airport, it is considered as the main airport serving Mindanao business operations. It is able to handle 2 million passengers yearly and this airport is set for modernization and improvements. The aim is to make it a hub for tourism and foreign investments.
Address: Buhangin, Davao City, Davao Del Sur
General Santos International Airport
Found in General Santos City and located in Barangay Fatima, the General Santos International Airport is the largest airport island of Mindanao. It was declared as an international airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. This airport is now being used as an air station by the Philippine Air Force.
Address: Filipino-American Friendship Ave., General Santos City, South Cotabato
Iloilo International Airport
This airport has had a major upgrade to cope up with the increasing number of tourists in the province.
Also known as the Cabatuan Airport, the Iloilo Airport was first opened commercially in 2007. It is the fourth busiest airport in the Philippines and it was built on par with international standards. It is one of the biggest airports constructed in the country and it is also seen as one of the most modern in the country.
Address: Iloilo Airport Access Rd., Cabatuan, Iloilo
Bicol International Airport
Costing 3.5 million pesos to create, this airport in the municipality of Daraga is set to change the way we see international airports in the country.
Address: Southern Luzon International Airport Access Rd., Daraga, Albay, Bicol
Kalibo International Airport
Kalibo airport services interntional destinations like Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei.
If you are scheduled to go to Boracay, then this is one of the two airports where you can land. The Kalibo International Airport has the fastest growing number of passenger visits and at times it also caters to international flights and services in international locations like Taipei.
Address: Kalibo International Airport Access Rd., Kalibo, Aklan
Laoag International Airport
Famous as a charter destination for tourists coming from China, this main airport in Ilocos Norte is undergoing changes to meet international standards.
Address: Brgy. 43, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Zamboanga International Airport
The airport’s unique design makes it highly memorable.
With 270 hectares, it is the third busiest airport located in the Philippines. It serves both civilian and military type of flights in the country.
Address: Gov. Camins Rd., Brgy. Baliwasan, Zamboanga City
Principal Domestic Airports
These airports serve only domestic destinations and are divided into two classes.
Principal Domestic Airport Class 1
Like Clark, San Jose airport was previously an air facility operated by the American military.
Under the Principal Domestic Airports Class 1 category, you’ll find airports that serve aircrafts with a capacity of at least 100 seats.
- Bancasi (Butuan) Airport
- Awang (Cotabato) Airport
- Dipolog Airport
- Sibulan (Dumaguete) Airport
- Laguindingan Airport
- Naga (Pili) Airport
- Pagadian Airport
- Roxas Airport
- San Jose Airport
- Tagbilaran Airport
- Tuguegarao Airport
- Virac Airport
Principal Domestic Airport Class 2
This newly renovated airport is the nearest gateway to the country’s famous Boracay Island. (Photo by Hans Engbers)
Class 2 category airports serve propeller airplanes with a capacity of at least 19 seats.
- Basco Airport
- Sanga-Sanga (Tawi-Tawi) Airport
- Francisco B. Reyes (Busuanga-Coron) Airport
- Calbayog Airport
- Camiguin Airport
- Catarman National Airport
- Godofredo P. Ramos (Caticlan/Boracay) Airport
- Jolo Airport
- Dipolog Airport
- Marinduque Airport
- Moises R. Espinosa (Masbate) Airport
- Tugdan (Tablas/Romblon) Airport
- Sayak (Siargao) Airport
- Surigao Airport
Community Airports
Although it services the Baler area, the airport is actually located in the neighbouring municipality of San Luis.
Community Airports in the Philippines are used mostly for general aviation purposes like serving private jets, medical flights, flight training, and agricultural aviation. A few of the community airports in the Philippines include:
- Baler Airport
- Bislig Airport
- Borongan (Punta Maria) Airport
- Bantayan Airport
- Cauayan Airport
- Itbayat Airport
- Labo (Ozamiz) Airport
- Palanan Airport
- San Fernando (Poro Point) Airport
- Mindoro (Vigan) Airport
Best Airports in the Philippines
There are 4 international airports that have been listed on Asia’s best airports list and this includes the Iloilo International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport and Davao International Airport as stated by Sleeping in Airports’ 30 Best Airports in Asia for 2016.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
Almost every international and domestic airport in the country is being headed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
A government owned agency that is connected with the Department of Transportation, they are the ones responsible for the implementation of the policies for each airport. This is to ensure that the airports are safe and efficient for economic and business travels.
Now that you know where the airports are, time to book a flight and a hotel in advance and grab those discounts! Discover cheap hotel deals and cheap flights from carriers like Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and more with Traveloka!
