AirAsia Philippines said it is ready to handle the influx of passengers coming back from holiday trips or returning from their vacations as the holiday season concludes.
The local airline said it is closely monitoring and ready to assist passengers at important airports to make sure their travel experience is smooth, as they expect a surge in passenger volume starting this month especially at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
AirAsia Philippines said that from December 16, 2024 to January 6, 2025, the airline served over 400,000 passengers, significantly surpassing its projected count of 300,000 for the period showing that Filipinos are gradually regaining their enthusiasm for travel.
According to the low-cost carrier, a smooth operation was recorded last Christmas and New Year in AirAsia flights, further demonstrating the airline's commitment to delivering quality and great value service to its guests.
"We expect a continuous increase in passenger traffic at our check-in counters until January 10th, as many of our kababayans have extended their holiday leave to enjoy more time with their loved ones in the provinces. This is why we remain fully prepared and will continue our operational readiness after the holidays and into the upcoming lively fiesta season in key destinations like Kalibo, Cebu, and Bohol," said AirAsia Philippines Communications and Public Affairs head Steve Dailisan.
Record-breaker
The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), on the other hand, said that NAIA has achieved its higher-ever passenger and flight numbers in 2024, signaling the growing strenght of air travel in the country.
NAIA handled 50.1 million passengers last year, up 5.08 percent from its previous high in 2019 before the pandemic, and 10.43 percent higher than in 2023.
NNIC added that the airport also recorded 293,488 flights, an 8.08 percent increase compared to 2019 and a 4.83 percent rise from the year before. These figures exclude general aviation but shows the steady growth in demand for travel.
"More Filipinos are flying, and more visitors are coming to the Philippines," said NNIC President Ramon S. Ang.
"This growth is a clear sign that confidence in air travel has returned, and it motivates us to work even harder. Our goal is to ensure that NAIA provides a better experience for everyone - passengers, airlines, and partners alike," Ang added.
During the peak holiday travel period from December 30 to January 1, 2025, the airport recorded an average On-Time Performance (OTP) of 83.36 percent with a high of 88.35 percent recorded on December 31, the highest OTP at NAIA since NNIC began managing the airport.
Photo Courtesy: Air Asia website
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