Customer Advisory: Air Cargo Congestion at Manila (NAIA), Philippines
(31 July 2026, 13:00 HKT) Royale International would like to highlight an important development affecting air cargo moving through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Manila, Philippines.
Following the closure of the PSI cargo warehouse for terminal redevelopment, cargo operations shifted to the Pair Cargo facility, resulting in severe congestion. Conventional air freight that previously cleared in 3–4 days is now taking considerably longer, with processing times reported to be as much as 12–23 days. Importers are also absorbing higher storage costs and experiencing unpredictable cargo release times as the remaining cargo facility operates beyond its intended capacity.
To help ease the backlog, authorities has implemented extended, round-the-clock cargo release operations, including weekend processing. Despite these measures, cargo volumes continue to exceed available handling capacity, and delays are expected to persist until congestion is reduced.
Businesses moving production-critical, high-value, or time-sensitive shipments into or out of Manila should review their logistics plans and allow additional processing time when using conventional air freight.
For shipments that genuinely cannot wait, Royale International’s On-Board Courier (Hand Carry) service bypasses the congested cargo warehouse channel contributing to the current backlog. By assigning a dedicated courier to accompany your shipment on the next available commercial flight, this solution helps minimise delays and provides the fastest available transit for urgent shipments moving into or out of Manila.
We are monitoring the situation daily and maintaining close coordination with airline partners and local authorities to help keep Time Critical cargo moving while identifying the most effective routing options for our customers.
If you have upcoming shipments into or out of Manila, please contact your Royale International representative directly or email cs@royaleinternational.com to discuss the most suitable solution for your shipment.
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