New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), is gearing up for what is expected to be the busiest holiday travel season with passenger numbers and flights projected to exceed the 2023 record.
NNIC anticipates 2.296 million passengers to pass through its terminals from December 20 to January 3, a 10.95% increase from the comparable period last year.
To ensure smooth operations ahead of the peak season, NNIC President Ramon S. Ang said they have been proactively coordinated with key stakeholders — including regulator Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) — to implement additional measures such as increased staffing, optimized terminal operations, and enhanced security protocols, to efficiently manage the anticipated surge in travelers.
Ang said they are also working closely with airline companies to ensure more check-in counters are opened and operational earlier than usual to reduce queuing times during peak hours.
“Christmas is a time for connecting with family, friends, and loved ones, and while this is one of the busiest seasons for NAIA, we are working hard to make the experience as safe and comfortable as possible for all passengers,” Ang said.
Since taking over management of NAIA three months ago, NNIC has implemented several improvements designed to enhance passenger experience, in time for the busiest period of the year. These include:
- Expanded Curbside Areas: Additional drop-off and pick-up lanes have been added to ease congestion and improve traffic flow around the terminals.
- Centralized Transport Hub: A dedicated hub at Terminal 3, the busiest terminal, for ride-hailing services and metered taxis, offering more organized ground transportation options.
- Improved Comfort: New airconditioning units installed across all terminals to ensure better cooling and enhanced passenger comfort.
- Faster Connectivity: Upgraded Wi-Fi services now provide free, high-speed internet access to meet the needs of modern travelers.
- Increased Seating and Trolleys: Terminal 1 has been equipped with 400 sets of new gang chairs, while Terminal 3 has added 500 new trolleys as part of the 2,500 trolleys ordered for deployment this month to support passenger convenience.
