5th World Ecotourism Conference

AIRLINES

You’ll find information on flight schedules, destinations, booking, and on-line ticketing on their websites:

Cebu Pacific – www.cebupacificair.com

Interisland Airlines – www.interislandairlines.com

Philippine Airlines (PAL) – www.philippineairlines.com

Air Philippines – www.airphils.com

SEA Air – http://flyseair.com/

Zest Airlines – www.zestair.com.ph

AIRPORT

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1, 2 and 3 in Manila are the premier gateways. They serve more than 30 airlines that fly to different cities around the world.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City handles regular flights from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Doha and China as well as chartered flights from the United States, and other major travel capitals.

AIRPORT TAX

Passenger Terminal Fee at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila is levied on all passengers embarking for:

1. International travel : PHP 750 (Approximately US$25)

2. Domestic travel: PHP 200 (Approximately US$10)

Place of payment: Airport of departure.

Exempt:

1. Children under 2 years of age.

2. Transit passengers remaining in the transit area and not leaving the airport.

3. Crew members.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has four (4) terminals:

Terminal 1 - is the international terminal for ALL foreign airlines except All Nippon Airways (ANA), which uses Terminal 3. It is located along the Ninoy Aquino Avenue from the NAIA Road.

Terminal 2 - also called the Centennial Terminal because it opened in the year the Philippines celebrated 100 years of proclamation of independence from Spain (1998). It is used exclusively by Philippine Airlines (PAL) for both international and domestic flights. International flights use the north wing while domestic ones use the south wing. Recently, PAL transferred several domestic flights to Terminal 3, retaining only major domestic destinations at Terminal 2 (e.g., Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, etc.).

For a complete list on which domestic flights are on T2 or T3, one can consult the PAL website - http://www1.philippineairlines.com/flights/airport/check/. Terminal 2 is located at the end of NAIA Road.

Terminal 3 - the newest of the three main terminals, it is located beside Villamor Air Base (actually part of it was carved out of the base) and across from the Resorts World Manila complex. It is used mainly by Cebu Pacific (Ceb Pac), currently the country's largest airline, for both international and domestic flights. Other airlines using Terminal 3 are ANA and Airphil Express, which is a budget subsidiary of PAL. The terminal is located along Andrews Avenue at the end of Sales Road (from Fort Bonifacio).

Domestic Terminal - now also called Terminal 4, it is the old terminal along the Domestic Road that used to be called the Manila Domestic Terminal where PAL, Cebu Pacific and other airlines used to operate domestic flights. At present, it is used by Zest Air and Seair.

More detailed information on these terminals may be found at the Website of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) - http://www.miaa.gov.ph/ 

It is quite easy to transfer between domestic and international flights if you happen to fly Ceb Pac since all flights operate out of Terminal 3 and the airline provides assistance through its transfer desk. The same used to be the case for PAL when all flights were out of Terminal 2. But then after PAL transferred flights to Terminal 3, many passengers would now have to travel between Terminals 2 and 3. The most inconvenient cases are for travelers transferring to or from international flights at Terminal 1. Terminal 2 is quite near and can easily be reached via shuttle bus. The more challenging transfer is between Terminals 1 or 2 and Terminal 3. Shuttle buses would have to go through the NAIA Road, the Domestic Road the Airport Road

There are no internal connections between the 4 terminals operating within the NAIA complex such as AGTs, monorails. There are shuttle buses that travel between these terminals but they use the public roads rather than an internal road exclusive for the airport. As such, these shuttles are subject to traffic congestion and possible delays. The MIAA website states that using the shuttle buses are free but I saw a sign at Terminal 3 showing that there is a flat rate of PhP 20. While the fare would probably cover fuel, maintenance and other costs, it can also be argued that this service should be free at least for passengers and covered by airport authorities as part of the services they provide to travelers. Perhaps passengers can present their tickets before boarding the bus. Others may be required to pay the PhP 20 fare.

VISA INFORMATION GUIDELINES ON THE ENTRY OF TEMPORARY VISITORS TO THE PHILIPPINES

Nationals from countries (click list) who are travelling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding twenty-one (21) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay. However, Immigration Officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least sixty (60) days beyond the intended period of stay.

ENTRY REGULATIONS

Starting August 1, 2013, nationals from 151 countries may enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for a maximum of thirty (30) days, provided they are holders of a passport valid at least six (6) months beyond the period of stay in the Philippines, and present a return or outward bound ticket to their country of origin or to a next country of destination.

For the list of 151 countries, please click here.

Chinese Nationals, including citizens for Hong Kong and Taiwan, will need a special permit.

LATEST NEWS: FOR INDIAN NATIONALS

Starting May 1, 2012, Indian nationals with a valid U.S., Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore, OR United Kingdom visa will be granted a 14-day visa free entry which may be extended for an additional 7 days for a maximum stay of 21 days.

*BI Memorandum Circular No. RADJR-12-008.

The policy only applies to Indian Nationals arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA 1-3) who have the following:

(1) National Passport valid at least 6 months, beyond the contemplated stay

(2) Return or Onward ticket (3) No derogatory record in BI, NICA, or INTERPOL.

For trips more than 21 days, Indian nationals are required to apply for a tourist visa in New Delhi or any Foreign Service Post where they’re valid residents.

HEALTH REGULATIONS

The Philippines is fortunate to be free from epidemics. The country remains safe from bird flu and foot-and-mouth diseases.

If you’re coming from an area where yellow fever has been reported, you’ll need a certificate of vaccination.

For more information, visit http://www.doh.gov.ph/

CUSTOMS

Before leaving the plane, you will be asked to fill out the Baggage Declaration Form.

The following items are allowed duty-free:

A reasonable quantity of personal clothes, jewelry, and toiletries

Two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco

Up to two (2) liters of alcohol

The following items are prohibited:

Firearms Dangerous drugs Narcotics Pornographic materials

The following items are regulated:

Transceivers DVDs and VCDs Controlled chemicals/substances/precursors

The following items are restricted and require prior import permits and health, sanitary or phytosanitary certificates:

Foreign agricultural products, such as animals, plants, wildlife Their products and by-products, such as meat, eggs, fruit Endangered species

For more information about Bureau of Customs Passengers Guidelines, visit http://www.customs.gov.ph/bustravel.php

CURRENCY REGULATIONS

(BSP Circular 98-1995)

The transportation of foreign currency or monetary instruments is legal. However, the carrying of foreign currency in excess of US$10,000.00 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies must be declared to a Customs Officer or the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Violation of this rule may lead to seizure and sanctions, fines and / or penalties. For more information about Bureau of Customs Passengers Guidelines visit http://www.customs.gov.ph/bustravel.php .

TIME DIFFERENCE

Local time is GMT plus 8 hours.