Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Terminal 2 in Pasay City handles all Philippine Airlines domestic and international flights, operating as the airline's dedicated hub since 1999. The terminal processes over 10 million passengers annually, serving as the primary entry point for travelers to the Philippines' capital region. Unlike the older Terminal 1 or the newer Terminal 3, Terminal 2 is smaller in scale but purpose-built for Philippine Airlines, with check-in counters and gates arranged in two piers. The terminal sits along the eastern shore of Manila Bay, surrounded by the dense urban fabric of Pasay City, and shares the airport complex with three other terminals. Security Sub-Department - Philippine Airlines refers to the airline's security office located within Terminal 2, handling pre-board screening and baggage security for all PAL flights.

Getting There

Terminal 2 is located in Barangay 191, Pasay City, approximately 7 kilometers south of Makati's central business district and 11 kilometers from Manila's Intramuros. Driving from Makati via the South Luzon Expressway and NAIA Expressway takes 20 to 40 minutes outside peak hours, but during heavy traffic (especially weekdays 3-8 pm) the same journey can exceed an hour. Public taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab are the most direct options; the Grab pick-up point is under the car park building opposite the terminal. For budget travelers, the NAIA Loop shuttle bus connects all four terminals for PHP 20, but requires a transfer from the LRT-1 or PNR stations. The LRT-1 line's Baclaran station is about 2 km away, from where jeepneys and tricycles can reach the terminal for around PHP 50. The official airport car park offers both short-term and long-term parking, with rates starting at PHP 40 per hour for cars.

Inside the Terminal

Terminal 2 is arranged as a single, linear building with two levels: arrivals on the ground floor and departures on the upper floor. The check-in hall is spacious, with Philippine Airlines counters grouped by destination (domestic left, international right). Security screening is located after check-in, before the departure lounge. The terminal has one main departure lounge with seating areas, duty-free shops, and a cafeteria-style food court serving local dishes like tapsilog and halo-halo. The entire terminal is wheelchair-accessible: ramps, accessible toilets, and designated parking spaces are available near the entrance. The wheelchair-accessible car park is located directly in front of the terminal, with reserved spots. Restrooms are clean by local standards, and cleaning staff are usually present. The atmosphere is utilitarian rather than luxurious: tile floors, fluorescent lighting, and a constant hum of announcements. Passengers should bring their own snacks for longer waits, as food options are limited and priced higher than outside. Wi-Fi is free for the first hour after registration at kiosks.

Security Sub-Department - Philippine Airlines and Pasay City

The Security Sub-Department - Philippine Airlines operates within Terminal 2, overseeing security protocols for the airline's operations. Its office is located near the baggage screening area on the departures level. The department coordinates with the airport's security force and the Philippine National Police - Aviation Security Group. For passengers, this translates to routine checks: carry-on bags are scanned at the entrance to the terminal and again before the boarding gate. While the security process is generally efficient, queues can build during the busiest times: Monday at 3 pm, Tuesday at 6 pm, Wednesday at 8 pm, and Thursday at 4 am, times that correspond to surges in flight departures to Middle Eastern and domestic destinations.

Pasay City itself is more than just the airport's location. It is one of the sixteen cities that make up Metro Manila, covering 19 square kilometers along Manila Bay. The city's name derives from the ancient term "Pasay", meaning "to call" or "to summon", and it has been a municipality since the Spanish period. Today, Pasay is a mixed-use area: residential neighborhoods coexist with commercial strips, and the city's northern portion hosts the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, where theaters and museums like the National Museum of Fine Arts (annex) draw culture enthusiasts. The SM Mall of Asia, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, sits on reclaimed land in Pasay's Bay Area, offering dining, entertainment, and an oceanside promenade. Nearby, the Star City amusement park provides rides for families, and the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum offers a quieter diversion. For travelers with layovers, the Bay Area's hotels and restaurants are within a 15-minute taxi ride from Terminal 2. The city's transportation options include jeepneys, buses, and tricycles, though traffic congestion is a constant. Many visitors only see the airport, but those who venture out find a city that blends commerce, culture, and coastal recreation.

Practical Information

The Security Sub-Department - Philippine Airlines office is not open every day; it operates during business hours, typically Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though the terminal itself is open 24/7 for flight operations. The department's phone number is +63 2 8855 8000, which also connects to PAL's main switchboard. For airport-wide inquiries, passengers can contact NAIA's hotline at +63 2 8871 0000. There is no official website for the department; general PAL security information is available on the Philippine Airlines website under the "Travel Information" section. One concrete piece of advice: plan to arrive at Terminal 2 at least 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights, especially on peak days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings), as security lines can extend beyond 30 minutes. Keep your carry-on bag free of prohibited items—liquids over 100 ml, sharp objects, and batteries over 100 Wh—to avoid delays at the Security Sub-Department's checkpoint.