Which Airline? Which Airport? -Budget Airlines in the Philippines

For some people, finding budget airlines to and within the Philippines is really a pain because they either heard about it but did not get the correct name or email or that they have no idea at all. What's worse is that sometimes they book and wish to come to Manila but find themselves landing in Clark which is about 2.5 hours away. Finding these airlines over the internet will be messy too because most of the listings just have individual advertisements. Anyway, for any purpose it may serve, here are the airlines and where they land: (Click on the name of the company if you want to be directed to their website)

International Budget Airline Companies

Cebu Pacific Airways

• flies to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 1 (Old International Airport) in Metro Manila, Cebu International Airport (from HK), Davao International Airport (from HK)



• this airline is recommended for travellers to the Visayas and Mindanao Islands

Jetstar Asia

• flies to and from Ninoy Aquino International Airport 1 (Old International Airport) in Metro Manila



• recommended when you're going to Manila, Makati, Metro Manila, Eastern (Montalban Angono, Rodriguez) and Southern Luzon (Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Bicol, etc. )

Tiger Airways

• flies to and from the Clark International Airport in Pampanga


• recommended for those flying to the North Luzon area (Pampanga, Baguio, Ilocos, Bulacan, Aurora, Sagada, Batanes, etc.


• it is about 1.5 hours to 2 hours to go to Manila


• transportation is available via the shuttle from the airport or by bus from the San Fernando Bus terminal.

AirAsia

• flies between Clark (Philippines) and Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur only.
• Awarded Airline of the Year for 2007

Domestic Airlines

AirPhilippines

• flies to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 2 (centennial Airport) in Metro Manila
• recommended when you're going to Manila, Makati, Metro Manila, Eastern (Montalban Angono, Rodriguez) and Southern Luzon (Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Bicol, etc. )
• the airport which this

Cebu Pacific Airways

I already have this mentioned in the International Airlines so please check it there.

SEAir

• flies from its own airport near the Domestic Airport.
• Has direct flights to Busuanga (gateway to Coron or Culion Island in Palawan) and Caticlan, Aklan (gateway to Boracay)
• flies to Batanes and El Nido from Manila
• has El Nido to Busuanga flights
• the only airline to fly from North Luzon (Angeles and Clark) to Boracay and Busuanga.

Asian Spirit

• flies from Manila Domestic Airport
• flies direct to Caticlan (Boracay hub) and Batanes (Basco)

PAL Express Air

• PAL's newest airline. It's maiden voyage was last May 5, 2008.
• Flies from NAIA 2
• has flights to Busuanga

NAIA 2, where both Philippine Airlines and AirPhilippines land, is the better International Airport. If you're picky, I'd suggest you take these airlines instead. the NAIA 1 is just about 15 minutes away from both the NAIA 2 airport and the Manila Domestic Airport.

Note: This article needs some research but I'm publishing it anyway so that other people may use it already. - jane -