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Elijah Felice Rosales - The Philippine Star
March 21, 2026 | 12:00am
In a reply to The STAR’s report on Delta Air Lines, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) said the US-headquartered airline has yet to submit a formal slot request to operate flights from the Philippines’ main gateway.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — The private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is asking Delta Air Lines to file a formal slot request if it is really intent on putting up direct flights to Manila by 2027.
In a reply to The STAR’s report on Delta Air Lines, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) said the US-headquartered airline has yet to submit a formal slot request to operate flights from the Philippines’ main gateway.
NNIC said the application window for summer slots in 2027 would only open by October, and it is encouraging Delta to prepare other requirements first prior to asking for a spot in NAIA.
In particular, Delta has yet to file a terminal facility clearance request, which is one of the basic requirements for any airline planning to operate in NAIA.
Given this, NNIC said it is premature to say that slot constraints are delaying Delta’s entry in Manila.
Prior to this, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eric Jose Ines said NAIA is currently running on a tight schedule, declining to guarantee Delta a slot in the airport.
Ines noted that all windows are operating beyond capacity, with the exception of 12 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Aside from this, Delta is asking the US Department of Transportation to defer the application of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) for authority to mount direct flights to Chicago.
Delta wants its regulator to only approve PAL’s application if Manila can allocate a slot for Delta for its plan to launch daily flights from Los Angeles starting 2027.
Delta said travelers are left with a few options when flying direct between the Philippines and the US, warning this situation would aggravate if only PAL is given authority to widen its reach.
NNIC said it welcomes the growing interest from international carriers to introduce flights to NAIA.
It views the recent expansion of PAL and United Airlines as reflective of the increasing confidence of airlines to expand in the airport.
