It was indeed a busy Holy Week at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as the country's premier gateway hub posted a 12.7-percent increase in passenger traffic during the Lenten season.
In a statement, the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) reported that over 1.17 million travelers passed through NAIA from April 13 to 20.
The highest single-day volume was recorded on Easter Sunday (April 20), with 156,635 passengers, while the daily average for the week stood at 146,611.
The NNIC said both international and domestic travel posted double-digit growth, with international passenger traffic up 11.21 percent and domestic up 14.19 percent year-on year.
It noted that although NAIA exceeded its intended capacity, all terminals operated smoothly due to the collaboration of key agencies and recent operational enhancements by NNIC.
During Holy Week preparations organized by the Department of Transportation, the Bureau of Immigration added staff and opened extra counters during peak periods, supported by terminal enhancements for quicker and less congestion.
The NNIC implemented improvements at NAIA such as additional boarding bridges, updated security screening and baggage handling systems, expanded curbside areas, more parking spaces, and specific locations for taxis and app-based transport to pick up passengers.
Power reliability and terminal cooling systems have been enhanced, while CCTV coverage now includes the entire baggage handling process to ensure better visibility and accountability.
As a result of these combined efforts, NAIA recorded an on-time performance of 83.28 percent across all terminals throughout the Holy Week period - an indicator of smoother airport operations and more efficient turnaround for airlines.
"This Holy Week showed how much better NAIA is becoming. We saw higher passenger numbers, but smoother and faster operations. That's not by chance, it's the result of planning, investment, and teamwork. I want to thank the DOTr led by Secretary Dizon, our other government partners, the entire NNIC team, and all the hard working staff at NAIA. We're just getting started, and we will keep working to build the airport our country deserves," NNIC President Ramon S. Ang said in a statement.
NNIC said it continues to roll out upgrades and process improvements across all terminals to accommodate rising passenger traffic and ensure a consistently high level of service - particularly during peak travel periods such as Holy Week.
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