Surge in Passenger Traffic Expected at Ninoy Aquino International Airport this Week

With Holy Week just around the corner, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is bracing for a surge in passenger traffic, potentially reaching 157,000 daily travelers this week, as reported by New NAIA Infra Corporation’s General Manager, Lito Alvarez. This expected swell is largely attributed to public holidays falling on Maundy Thursday (April 17) and Good Friday (April 18), widely recognized among the country’s predominantly Christian populace.

Alvarez remarked during a press conference on April 10: > “The average daily passenger volume last year was 145,000. We are expecting 155,000 to 157,000 daily this year.”

Historically, during the holiday season from December to January, NAIA experienced averages of 160,000 passengers per day, bolstering Alvarez’s assurance that the airport is prepared for this increase.

Call for Patience

In the same briefing, Dana Sandoval, spokesperson for the Bureau of Immigration, announced that an extra 30 personnel will be assigned to immigration gates throughout the week to manage the inflow. Likewise, transportation secretary Vince Dizon has appealed to the public for understanding towards airport staff amid expected inconveniences due to heightened passenger numbers. Officials from the Department of Transportation and Tourism, along with immigration officers and representatives from NAIA, revisited airport attributes to ensure readiness for the Holy Week rush.