For passengers departing from Manila for the first time, departure procedures can be a bit complicated. However, knowing what to expect, you can make your departure a lot less intimidating, so here’s an 8-step checklist that explains the procedures that you have to go through.
When you arrive at the departure level in Manila, Nina Aquino International Airport, expect to find hordes of people outside the entrance. Not all of them will be departing passengers. In fact, most will be family members who have come to say goodbye.
Step 1 - Login Verification
Here you join the first stage - the airport entrance queue.
Before you can enter the building, you must provide your passport and air ticket so that they are ready.
Now is the time to remove metal objects from your pockets or wallet and put them in your carry-on baggage, which will be X-ray. These items include watches, pens, cell phones, coins - anything that will trigger a metal detector. Doing this in the near future will save delays.
After you have presented your passport and ticket, you will need to put all your luggage on the X-ray conveyor before you go through the metal detector.
Step 2 - Airline Registration
If everything goes well, you can collect your luggage and go to the airline registration counter. Expect huge queues to get there early - in 2009, the airport was rated as the busiest in the world!
While waiting in the queue for registration, be prepared for the fact that your luggage case will be checked for the presence of explosives.
After checking and receiving your boarding pass, go to the departure area now, but your turn is not over.
Step 3 - Exit Tax
Before entering the departure area, you must show your passport and boarding pass. After you have cleared, you now go to the counter where you pay exit tax. This tax is currently 750 pesos per passenger.
At the counter, you must give the counter your boarding pass and money. She will return your boarding pass along with the receipt.
Step 4 - Immigration Permit
The next step is immigration. Here you present your passport and boarding pass.
Step 5 - Security Check
The next queue is in the security check. Once again, make sure you remove all metal objects from your pockets or wallets. You can put them in a carry-on bag or in a plastic tray that people will provide with security.
You also need to remove your shoes and place them in a plastic tray along with your laptop computer.
Make sure that you adhere to restrictions on the export of currencies for both the Philippine peso and foreign currencies.
After you go through the metal detector, you can collect your bags and a tray with your personal effects, and then go to the departure area.
Congratulations! You did it.
Step 6 - Choose a hall
If you are a first or business class, simply go to the appropriate airline lounge.
If you are an economy class passenger, you can either explore the duty free shops, then go to the departure gate or enter one of the special lounges that offer equal or even better amenities than business class lounges.
For example, the Sampaguita lounge is located on the fourth floor and offers snacks, a TV, Wi-Fi, computer rooms, non-smoking areas and a beautiful view of the airport. All this for only 450 pesos.
Employees will announce you the time to land in advance so as not to wait for the last minute to panic to the gate.
Step 7 - Checking the Gate
If you think you are in the last line, you may be disappointed. Depending on your airline, there may be another security check. This will be when you enter the departure area. This check is a regular and quick check for you and your bag.
Step 8 - Checking the fit of the passport
Again, depending on the airline, you may have to show both your boarding pass and your passport when you board the plane. If so, be prepared and open your passport on the photo page.
This is a happy flight!
