Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22) – Passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is now at 85% of pre-pandemic figures, according to data from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
NAIA recorded 2,421,144 international and domestic travelers from Dec. 1 to Dec. 21, the MIAA said on Thursday.
The number is around 85.4% of the volume for the same period in 2019, just before the pandemic struck. The airport had a total of 2,833,479 passengers at the time.
In 2021, only 898,703 passengers were recorded for the first 21 days of December.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) previously reported that only 245,141 passengers had been recorded across all of its airports in December 2020.
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Airports across the country logged 16 million travelers from January to October 2022, the CAAP also said.
The aviation body placed all 42 of its commercial airports under high alert in anticipation of the 2022 holiday travel surge.
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CNN Philippines Correspondents Xianne Arcangel and AC Nicholls contributed to this report.
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Reminders for sea travelers
Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reminded passengers to book tickets before heading to sea ports.
Passenger volume is expected to peak for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Inter-island passenger traffic is expected to double this year from 21 million passengers in 2021. The PPA said it could hit 57 million or more by the end of December.
“Meron po tayong natatala ngayon na chance passengers, ito yung mga kababayan natin na hindi pa nakapag-book ng ticket tapos pumunta sa pantalan. Karaniwan ito yung nagiging cause ng delay,” PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte said during the government-led Laging Handa public briefing on Thursday.
[Translation: We have what are called ‘chance passengers,’ these are citizens who haven’t booked their tickets yet and went to the ports. This is a cause of delay.]
She said the highest daily average of over 50,000 passengers was recorded on Dec. 18.
The PPA has coordinated with the Maritime Industry Authority to make sure vessels are enough to meet travel demand.
It advised passengers to travel light if possible and to go to the ports three to four hours ahead of their scheduled trip to avoid delays.
They are also reminded not to bring prohibited items such as fireworks or any other flammable materials.
Special permits for provincial buses
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued special permits for over 600 bus units bound for the provinces.
“As of yesterday (Wednesday), may na-issue na tayo na 639 units na special permit para sa papunta sa probinsya both north and south ito,” LTFRB technical division chief Joel Bolano said.
[Translation: As of yesterday, we issued 639 units of special permits for those going to the province, both north and south.]
He said passenger volume has been manageable so far and the agency is ready to grant more special permits if necessary.
