STAR program to aid move of domestic flights to NAIA

THE Manila International Airport Authority will start the second phase of its Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program in April, making Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 exclusively for all domestic flights.

MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong stressed that under this program, international flights will be reassigned to Terminals 1 and 3, where passengers can enjoy a wider selection of food and retail stores and spend more time in duty free shopping.

“With this move, we expect a significant increase in Terminal 2’s capacity from 7.5M to 10M passengers a year, 20 to 25% more than its current rate,” Chiong said, noting that taking out infrastructure such as immigration counters would give the much needed space for expansion.

Under the new scheme, MIAA will be able to assist Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) in improving its manpower deployment in Terminals 1 and 3 by realigning their people to the two Terminals.

Beginning April 16, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, China Southern Airlines and Starlux Airlines will be transferred to Terminal 3. On the same day, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will relocate its flights to and from Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh to Terminal 1.

On June 1, Ethiopian Airlines and Jeju Air will move to Terminal 3. Come June 16, all international flights of Philippine Airlines will move to Terminal 1.

For the third phase of the program, beginning July 1, all domestic flights of Philippines AirAsia will be operated from NAIA Terminal 2.