NAIA tagged as worst business class airport, DOTr defends claim

According to Bounce’s Business Class Index, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) ranks worst amongst the 38 airports included in the study.

Different key were aspects looked into in the study such as lounges, destinations served, annual on-time flights, and Skytrax Rating. Of the possible 10 total points an airport could score, NAIA had scored a total of 0.88 out of 10 points.

The main gateway to the Philippines, Manila’s airport was the worst scoring for three different categories: its number of destinations, on-time performance, and rating from Skytrax. – Bounce

With news of NAIA being ranked worst for business class travelers, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has now rebutted its claim and addressed the main aspects that the airport had scored low on. The DOTr had also questioned Bounce’s study and its basis as Bounce currently doesn’t operate in the Philippines.

The DOTr pointed out that NAIA is a destination airport, rather than a hub airport. Therefore, it would be expected that there wouldn’t be as many business class lounges and onward destinations. Furthermore, the department had also noted the recent on-time performance of 83% in 2019 is a far cry from its previous 40% back in 2016.

The DOTr added despite the unfavorable rating and unsubstantiated claims, the airport continues to take strides in making further improvements and has come a long way during the Duterte administration. Further noting that NAIA was ranked in the top 10 of most improved airports back in the 2018 World Airport Awards conducted by Skytrax.

Do you think NAIA deserves to be labeled as the worst business class airport? Let us know your thoughts down below in the comments!