Have you experienced the bizarre Australian connecting baggage process at Manila Airport?

Terminal 1 at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is something very special. Originally built in 1982, the airside area shows its age in every single way. I recently experienced an unusual connecting baggage routine while in transit there which I thought was worth mentioning.

My itinerary was from Hong Kong to Sydney via Mania with Philippine Airlines. When I arrived at the airport, I passed through the transit boarding pass check and headed to the lounge, marvelling at how ancient the terminal seemed to be. Eventually it was near time to board, so I headed down to the gate area, which is where the fun begins.

No Boarding For You

Two ladies were sat at a desk, and everyone was visiting them before heading on. I presented myself and was asked if I was connecting and I replied in the affirmative. Next, I was informed that I had to go back to where I had come from as there was a baggage check that needed to be completed before I could fly.

A couple of girls had been told this before me and were completely baffled as to what to do. However, I had seen the signage about it, as it was at the same lifts that go up to the Philippine Airlines lounge. Retracing my steps, I arrived where I needed to be to find another lady at another desk.

Connecting Baggage Check

Instructed to go down to the ground floor in the lift, I did just that. When the doors opened, I was outside and a bunch of people were milling about doing this and that. My boarding pass was quickly taken and I sweated gently in the humid Manila evening while my bag was retrieved. This was very quick, and it was put up on a shelf and I was asked to open it.

I opened it, they swabbed it, then I was asked to close it up so I did. Seemingly all was in order, for a stamp was put on my boarding pass and I was free to go back into the terminal. After that it was back to the gate again and this time I was permitted to go through to where I needed to be.

Overall Thoughts

I’m not certain why connecting baggage destined for Australia needs a physical check in Manila. I’ve never come across anything like it before.

Regardless, the staff doing the actual bag check seemed quite surprised when they asked me to lock the bag and I told them I never lock it. I don’t see the need and I never pack anything that can’t be replaced in my luggage.

Have you been through Manila’s NAIA airport before with connecting baggage on the way to Australia and done this dance? What do you think of it? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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Featured image by Edwin Petrus on Unsplash.