A new off-ramp connecting the NAIA Expressway (NAIAX) directly to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport has officially opened. The new section offers long-awaited relief to motorists and air travellers navigating one of Metro Manila’s busiest transport corridors.
The two-lane, 320-meter westbound off-ramp connector, located along Andrews Avenue in Pasay City, was inaugurated on March 27, 2026. The project was designed to provide a more direct route for vehicles coming from major thoroughfares such as the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Skyway Stage 3, and Lawton Avenue.
As such, officials indicate that the new access road is expected to cut travel time to NAIA Terminal # by about 15 to 25 minutes. This is important, particularly during peak hours when congestion is most severe.
The P1-billion infrastructure project was undertaken by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the concessionaire and operator of NAIAX. Construction was completed in December 2025, ahead of its formal opening.
Beyond reducing travel time, the new section is expected to significantly ease congestion around the Andrews Avenue-Newport intersections, a known area of bottleneck traffic near the airport. Authorities estimate a 30% to 40% reduction in vehicle volume in the area by diverting airport-bound traffic away from local roads.
The initiative is one of the government’s efforts to improve connectivity and decongest Metro Manila’s road network, particularly ahead of peak travel seasons such as Holy Week. The opening of the NAIAX off-ramp connector aligns with the government’s ongoing infrastructure developments aimed at making travel more efficient for the public.
Additional improvements were implemented alongside the off-ramp, including widening roads near the Circulo del Mundo Rotonda, further enhancing access to Terminal 3. The off-ramp is expected to benefit not only outbound passengers but also arriving travellers and airport workers, addressing long-standing concerns about congestion and unreliable travel times to and from NAIA.
Autocar’s Take
The opening of the NAIAX westbound off-ramp connector to NAIA Terminal 3 is a high-impact improvement that directly addresses urban mobility issues. By effectively reducing travel time and separating airport-bound traffic from local roads, the project demonstrates how targeted interventions, not just large-scale builds, can deliver immediate benefits.
But, while the projected 15- to 25-minute travel time savings are significant, it remains to be seen whether these gains can be sustained during peak travel surges. In the end, this development signals progress, but also highlights the need for a more comprehensive, system-wide solution to Metro Manila’s chronic congestion.
