Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has made it to the global list of airports with the most food choices. According to a study by UK‑based Airport Parking and Hotels (APH), NAIA ranked seventh worldwide, thanks to its 131 restaurants and cafes.
Travelers going through Manila’s main airport now have more options, from local Filipino favorites to well‑known international brands. This puts NAIA alongside big names like Singapore’s Changi Airport, Tokyo’s Haneda, and Chicago’s O’Hare.
The recognition is a big change for NAIA, which was once criticized for long lines and outdated facilities. Since its privatization in 2024 under New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the airport has been working to modernize terminals, improve services, and expand capacity.
Aside from food, the airport also ranked sixth worldwide for affordable lounges. Entry costs an average of around ₱1,200 and ₱3,000, making it one of the cheapest places for travelers to relax during layovers.
NAIA was originally built to handle 4.5 to 6 million passengers a year. Today, it serves around 45 million annually, which is more than it could handle. NNIC plans to raise capacity to 62 million within its 15‑year concession, hoping to ease congestion and improve the overall travel experience.
Also Read: NAIA to roll out biometric immigration e-gates in December 2025
With better food and lounges, will NAIA finally shed its old reputation as one of the world’s worst airports?
Featured photo: NNIC
