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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Compiled by

Manila (Pasay), National Capital Region (Metropolitan Manila) (Philippines)
IATA: MNL ICAO: RPLL
Longest Active Runway
12,261 ft
3,737 meters
Field Elevation
75 ft
23 m MSL
Runway Inventory
2 active
Lighted / Paved
Coordinates & Class
14.5086°, 121.0200°
LARGE AIRPORT
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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

How ranks work →
RunwayFacts Published Dataset
#150 of 650
In curated primary commercial index
Global Commercial Universe
#234 of 7558
Top 3.1% percentile worldwide
National Standing (Philippines)
#1 of 4 in PH
#1 of 60 in full national registry
vs Large Airport Median
+22.6%
Compared to 10,000 ft baseline
💡 MNL in numbers: 12,261 ft longest runway · #150 of 650 published · #234 of 7,558 worldwide (top 3.1%) · #1 in Philippines.
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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Ninoy Aquino International Airport operates within one of the most physically constrained urban footprints in Southeast Asia. Its intersecting runway layout requires meticulous air traffic sequencing, where heavy widebody arrivals on Runway 06/24 temporarily hold departures on the shorter 13/31 strip. Despite ongoing apron optimizations, the aerodrome operates beyond its original design throughput, making wake-turbulence separation and taxiway runway-crossing clearances the primary determinants of on-time reliability.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments
Intersecting dual runway configuration comprising primary Runway 06/24 (12,260 ft / 3,737 m) and secondary crosswind Runway 13/31 (7,736 ft / 2,358 m).
Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities
Originally developed in 1948 on former Nichols Field military terrain. Successive terminal expansions (Terminals 1 through 4) struggled with boundary constraints inside dense Metro Manila, driving the ongoing construction of the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.
Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role
Maintains a near-monopoly on domestic capital traffic while international low-cost carriers frequently utilize Clark International (CRK, 47 NM northwest) with its dual 10,500 ft runways as a secondary Luzon gateway.
Data Nuances & Operational Quirks
The crossing runway layout severely bottlenecks movement capacity during peak typhoon and monsoon seasons, as Runway 13/31 cannot operate independently of the primary 06/24 instrument approach corridor.
📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Philippines National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards
Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Longest runway ≥10,500 ft
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Elevation & National Context

Lowland Aerodrome (<2,000 ft)

MNL lies at 23 m (75 ft), #468 of 650 published airports by elevation and 24 percentile among 7,558 worldwide. It is 205 ft below the Philippines median (280 ft, 4 airports); GES is highest at 505 ft, 430 ft higher than MNL.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

1 Qualifying Aerodrome in Vicinity

Closest of 1 paved-runway (≥5,000 ft) neighbour within 100 NM: Clark International Airport / Clark Air Base (CRK), 48.7 NM, 10,499 ft. MNL has the longest runway in this radius, 1,762 ft over CRK.

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Runway Inventory & National Standing

Primary Runway: 12,261 ft (3,737 m)

MNL runways: 06/24 12,261 × 197 ft concrete (con); 13/31 7,408 × 148 ft concrete (con). National standing: #1 of 4 in Philippines; 1,401 ft ahead of CEB (10,860 ft). +22.6% vs the 10,000 ft baseline.

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator Length (ft / m) Width (ft / m) Surface Material Lighting Status
06/24 12,261 ft (3737 m / 3.737 km) 197 ft (60m) Concrete (CON) ✅ Lighted ✅ Active
13/31 7,408 ft (2258 m / 2.258 km) 148 ft (45m) Concrete (CON) ✅ Lighted ✅ Active

🧭 Comparative Aerodromes (100 NM Radius, ≥5,000 ft Paved)

Great-circle Haversine spatial proximity matching for commercial facilities with paved runway capacity within 100 NM.

Aerodrome Name IATA Distance Longest Runway Lighting
Clark International Airport / Clark Air Base (Mabalacat) CRK 48.7 NM (90.2 km) 10,499 ft ✅ Lighted

🛡️ Source: OurAirports Open Aviation Database, snapshot 2026-09-01 · Provenance →