Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 26) — Nearly 32,000 travelers arrived in the country on Christmas Eve, most of whom landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Monday.
On Christmas Day (December 25), 29,968 individuals arrived in the country, the bureau added.
“This is significantly higher than the last two years,” BI spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said in a Laging Handa public briefing. “Noong mga nakaraang dalawang taon, medyo malungkot ang holiday seasons dahil wala halos bumabyahe due to travel restrictions imposed worldwide.”
[Translation: In the past two years, the holiday seasons were a bit sad because almost no one traveled due to travel restrictions imposed worldwide.]
For departures, BI recorded 22,248 on Dec. 24 and 27,934 on Dec. 25.
READ: MIAA, PITX expect peak holiday travel as Christmas weekend approaches
According to the agency, the increasing number implies that confidence among travelers is back amid the pandemic.
“Nakikita na natin muli ‘yung sigla at saya sa ating mga paliparan,” Sandoval said.
[Translation: We can see the vigor and happiness again in our airports.]
The daily number of arrivals is also projected to be consistent until New Year.
READ: NAIA passenger volume now at 85% of pre-pandemic figures – MIAA
