When Clark International Airport (CRK) officially opened in 2022, the government had high hopes. The new airport aimed to accommodate 8 million passengers per year, and in the long run, decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila.

NAIA is frequently cited as one of the worst airports in the world (Hear, hear!), and with CRK a two-hour drive away, it makes a secondary gateway or airport alternative for those living in Metro Manila, Greater Manila, and its neighboring provinces.

So why hasn’t this option made a vast improvement in the purgatory that is NAIA? My frequent flier friends have been raving to me about Clark International Airport as the better alternative to NAIA, even back when it was the old, pre-facelifted airport (known then as the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport). But like most Manila dwellers set in their old ways, I didn’t give into CRK until my Siargao trip this year.

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific stopped flying to Siargao directly from Manila, so I had two options: a) the longer Manila-Cebu-Siargao route, or b) the direct Clark-Siargao flight. I chose the latter.

I finally experienced flying from Clark International Airport, and I have seen the light. Someone should come up with a witty saying that starts with “Once you fly Clark…” Well, you get the drift.

If you’re torn between the two airports, here’s a rundown of the pros and cons to help you decide between NAIA and CRK.

Pros of flying via Clark International Airport

1. CRK is a sleek, modern airport—a far cry from what we’re used to in NAIA. Clark’s four-level passenger terminal building has 18 aero bridges and a floor area of 110,000 square meters. Having been used to the harrowing experiences in NAIA, I could almost hear the harps of angels welcoming me to the clean and spacious interiors of CRK, which, if it reaches its full potential, could rival award-winning airports around the world. It’s also the first and only airport in the Philippines with an OFW lounge.

2. It gives passengers a stress-free airport experience. Not counting the standard and hellish Manila traffic, I parked my car in my Tita’s house in Angeles, and she gave me a ride to CRK, which took a seamless 30 minutes. From the moment I entered the terminal, it took me only 15 minutes to check in my luggage, get my boarding pass, and locate my gate, with ample time to spare before my 7:35am flight. If it were in NAIA, it would already be full of angry travelers with overweight bags in tow. In CRK, the seats in the waiting areas were hardly filled. It was so peaceful and spacious I could’ve sworn I was in another country.

3. CRK parking is cheaper than NAIA’s. Remember when NAIA parking used to be more affordable than Park N’ Fly? Last year, NAIA incurred the wrath of frequent fliers when they announced a 400% parking price increase. From ₱300, their overnight parking rate is now ₱1,200 for every 24 hours. Clark Airport’s parking fee is an affordable ₱250 a night per vehicle. There are only 439 vehicle slots, but don’t worry as the parking lot hardly gets filled because CRK is not yet a popular airport choice. And no, Clark does not have a Park N’ Fly.

4. Flights via CRK are sometimes cheaper than NAIA. The operative word is sometimes, so you need to do a lot of searching and price comparing.

5. Flights to certain destinations are faster via CRK than NAIA. For example, Cebu Pacific no longer offers direct flights from Manila to Siargao or Masbate. The direct routes were relocated to Clark starting in March 2025 as part of the government’s plan to gradually phase out turboprop aircraft operations from NAIA.

Cons of flying via Clark International Airport

1. It entails an extra load of research and contingency planning. You’ll have to compare flight prices and schedules to see if they fit your itinerary. You need to plan your additional commute to Clark and allow considerable buffer time before your flight. Are you driving a car, booking a Grab/ taxi, or taking a bus? Are you taking the Genesis P2P bus from Trinoma, Quezon City, or the one from NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay? If you will drive, where will you park your car? If you’re traveling for weeks to months, what’s the more practical option? Will the time and money saved from cheaper airline prices in CRK be worth the extra steps involved?

2. CRK does not offer as many carriers and flights as NAIA, so you’ll need to do a lot of searching and comparing.

3. CRK’s airport parking is open-air, which not many car owners like. You may bring a weather-proof car cover.

4. Clark International Airport is underutilized. It’s not at full capacity (Will it ever be?) so there aren’t many restaurants, 24/7 cafes, and bustling shops a la NAIA or Mactan–Cebu International Airport.

My circle of frequent traveler friends is torn. Some of them don’t mind the extra steps and strategizing if it means going through a decent, modern airport that we deserve, which is CRK. The rest don’t want to be bothered with additional contingency plans and would rather just plow through the chaos that is NAIA. I get both sides.

Which airport do you prefer?