Nielson Field was the first commercial airport established in the Philippines, situated in what is now the central district of Makati, Metro Manila. It operated from its inauguration in 1935 until its closure in 1948, after which the land was redeveloped into one of Manila’s major business and residential areas.
History
Establishment
The airport was constructed by the American engineering firm Nielson, Inc., headed by pilot and entrepreneur William J. Nielson. Groundbreaking began in 1934, and the facility officially opened on March 15, 1935. It featured a single concrete runway measuring approximately 1,800 meters in length, a control tower, passenger terminal, and ancillary hangars.
Commercial Operations
During its operational years, Nielson Field served as the hub for domestic and limited international flight services. The primary airline operating from the airport was Philippine Airlines (PAL), which used the field for routes connecting Manila with other major Philippine cities such as Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao. The airport also accommodated foreign carriers, including Pan American World Airways, which operated occasional inter‑regional flights.
World War II
Following the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in December 1941, Nielson Field was seized by Japanese forces and repurposed as a military airbase. The airfield sustained considerable damage from Allied bombing raids in 1944–1945. After the liberation of Manila, the United States Army Air Forces used the site for reconnaissance and logistical support until the end of the war.
Post‑war Period and Closure
In the immediate post‑war years, the airport resumed limited civilian operations but faced competition from the newly constructed Manila International Airport (now Ninoy Aquino International Airport). In 1948, the Philippine government and private stakeholders decided to close Nielson Field. The 42‑hectare site was subsequently sold to Ayala Corporation, which commenced the development of the Makati Central Business District (CBD). Many of the original airport structures were demolished, although the former control tower was preserved and later incorporated into the Ayala Museum complex.
Legacy
Nielson Field is remembered as a pioneering aviation facility that introduced commercial air travel to the Philippines. Its transformation into the Makati CBD illustrates the rapid urban development of Metro Manila in the latter half of the 20th century. The former runway’s alignment can still be discerned in the present street grid of the district, and historical markers commemorate its significance in Philippine aviation history.