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Manila’s first airport was Grace Park Airfield, which was opened in 1935 to the north of Manila at Caloocan, near Bonifacio Monument.

Also known as Manila North, Grace Park Airfield was used for domestic commercial air travel, primarily by the Philippine Aerial Taxi Company (Philippine Airlines Today).


In 1937, a new airfield was opened east of Manila at Makati. Known as Nielson Airfield or Airport, it housed the Manila International Air Terminal.


Both airfield were devastated during the Second World War.


In 1948, Manila’s airport was moved to Nichols Field in Pasay, which had previously been a military airfield. Today is the site of both the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Villamor Airbase.


Grace Park is a residential area today, the old runway near 8th street having been built over with houses. Nielson Airfield is now the location of the Makati’s Central Business district.


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