Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippines

 Arriving

What you’ll need to do after stepping off the plane:

1.  If you’re making a transfer, go to the Transit/Transfer Desk in front of the entrance to the arrival immigration area. Present your passport, check-in stub and onward flight ticket.

2.  If you’re not making a transfer, go to the Immigration Officer to get your passport validated. 

3.  Now you’ll head to the Baggage Claim Area.  There are baggage trolleys dispensers located near both sides of the immigration exit gates. They cost around 40 pesos.  If you want one, pay the cashier and get it. 

4. Go to the baggage claim area. Each conveyer belt has a flight information board over it that tells you which flight the luggage is from.  In addition to suitcases, you’ll see a bunch of giant cardboard “balikbayan” boxes coming down the chute.  Claim your baggage and move on to Customs. 

5. Give your baggage declaration form to the Customs examiner.

6. If you have any dutiable items, tell the examiner about them.  Otherwise they may be seized.   At any rate, be sure you’re bags are ready for inspection.  If you mummified them in duct tape, remove it or cut the tape before you get to the examiner.  

7. If you have any taxes or duties to pay, you’ll proceed to the Customs cashier located near exit gates 1 and 2. You’ll get a receipt for your payment

8. Before finally leaving the Customs area, a Customs Officer stationed at the exit gates will collect your baggage, declaration form, and/or gate pass.

9.  Next you’ll enter the arrival lobby. Some guards will probably collect your baggage tags here. There’s also a moneychanger here, if you’d like to cash in a hundred dollars or so for pesos. If you’re not expecting anyone to meet you at the airport, and you’re staying in Manila, you can also arrange for an airport taxi in this section.  If you do this, get a receipt for your taxi and take it to the desk outside.  Ignore anyone who tries to usher you into their taxi.  There will be a desk with an attendant who will take your receipt and arrange for your taxi. 

10.  If you’re meeting someone, however, before you go to a hotel or elsewhere, you’ll head outside to the “greeter’s area”.  As soon as you step outside, you’ll probably feel like a hair dryer has been set on high and positioned an inch from your face.  The trick here it to find the person who’s supposed to meet you, since there are dozens, if not hundreds, of Filipinos here anxiously awaiting friends and family, and most of them are pretty vocal.  Make sure the person has a good photo of you, and you a good photo of them, and if possible, wear something distinctive that will make it easier for them to identify you.  A distinctive hat of some kind is one idea. 

 Enjoy your trip!!!  

Departing 

1.  The Departure Area is located on the third level of the International Passenger Terminal.  Most folks just take a taxi directly to it, but if you somehow find yourself driving to the airport, go straight to Ninoy Aquino Avenue and turn left at the intersection leading to the NAIA access road. You’ll go up a ramp and voila, there you are. 

2.  There are two gates, one on each side of the terminal, for departing passengers. Guards are posted there.  Show them your passport and ticket when you’re ready to pass through one of the gates.  Once inside, you’ll undergo a security check.

3.  Now it’s on to the Customs Area.  Your bags may or may not be inspected again.

4.  If your ticket was purchased abroad and you are not tax exempt (you’re probably not), you’ll have to pay a travel tax at the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) Counter prior to check-in.  The price keeps going up, but figure on 2,000 pesos if you’re a coach passenger and 3,000 pesos if you’re a first class type. 

5. Proceed to the check-in counter where your flight is assigned and show the airline worker your passport and ticket. You’ll get a boarding pass with your seating assignment on it.

6. If you don’t already have one, get a departure card from the person checks you in.  

7. Now you’re ready to spend some more money!  Proceed to the Terminal Fee/Airport Tax Counter. As a reward for owning a boarding pass you’ll get to spend around 600 more pesos to some other greedy airport entity.  A terminal fee ticket will be attached to your boarding pass (actually there will be two copies, one for you and one for the inspector, but the inspector will take his copy at the departure gate).

8.  Go to the Immigration counter and when your turn arrives, present your departure card to the Immigration Officer.  

9.  Your luggage may be checked yet again before you step aboard the plane, and you may undergo a body search.  

10.  Wait for your plan to begin boarding.  Do some reading, cry a little, snack, whatever you like.  It’s a long flight home!