More Airlines Embrace Automation at NAIA, Promising Smoother Passenger Flow

More Airlines Embrace Automation at NAIA, Promising Smoother Passenger Flow

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | February 19, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – Passengers traveling through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are experiencing a more streamlined journey as an increasing number of airlines integrate with the airport’s self-service technology.

The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the airport’s private operator, is progressively rolling out its automated passenger processing program, designed to alleviate congestion and expedite the travel experience.

The program includes self-check-in kiosks, automated pre-security screening gates, and self-boarding gates across Terminals 1, 2, and 3. This allows eligible passengers to independently manage key steps in their journey, from printing boarding passes and tagging luggage to clearing initial security and boarding flights, significantly reducing reliance on traditional check-in counters. A phased activation of automated bag drop features is also underway, further enhancing efficiency.

Currently, the following airlines and passenger categories are enabled for automated processing:

Terminal 1:

• Philippine Airlines: International destinations, excluding routes to the Middle East and Japan.
• Asiana Airlines: Korean nationals and foreign passengers exempt from visa requirements.

Terminal 2:

• Philippine Airlines: All domestic destinations.
• Cebu Pacific: All domestic destinations.
• AirAsia: All domestic destinations.

Terminal 3:

• Cebu Pacific: All domestic and international destinations.
• AirAsia: All international destinations.
• United Airlines: Foreign passengers exempt from visa requirements.
• Qatar Airways: All passengers.
• Air Canada: All passengers.

“These systems are already operational, and we are seeing more airlines come on board as integration is completed,” NNIC stated. “As participation expands, more passengers will be able to move through check-in, security, and boarding more efficiently, leading to a more pleasant travel experience.”

The implementation of automated processing is part of a broader initiative to modernize NAIA’s infrastructure and align its operations with international standards. By adopting biometric-enabled technologies prevalent in major international hubs across Asia, the Middle East, and North America, NAIA aims to improve passenger flow and enhance overall airport efficiency.

Passengers on eligible flights are encouraged to utilize the self-check-in kiosks conveniently located near the check-in areas of each terminal. After printing their boarding passes and attaching bag tags, passengers can proceed to designated bag drop counters or automated lanes before navigating the pre-security and self-boarding gates.

NNIC has confirmed that additional airlines and routes will be integrated into the automated processing system in the coming months, as ongoing integration work progresses. This expansion promises to further reduce wait times and improve the passenger experience at NAIA, solidifying its position as a key aviation hub in the region.