MORE than 1.17 million passengers traveled through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the Holy Week period from April 13 to 20, according to New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the airport’s private operator. The figure represents a 12.7% increase from the same period last year, making this one of the busiest Holy Weeks for the country’s main gateway in recent years.
The highest single-day volume was recorded on Easter Sunday, with 156,635 passengers, while the daily average for the week stood at 146,611. Both international and domestic travel posted double-digit growth, with international passenger traffic up 11.21% and domestic up 14.19% year-on-year.
Despite NAIA operating beyond its original designed capacity, operations across all terminals remained smooth and orderly. This was made possible by the combined efforts of key agencies and the operational improvements implemented by NNIC in recent months.
As part of coordinated Holy Week preparations led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) under Secretary Vince Dizon, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) deployed additional personnel and opened more counters during peak periods — efforts that were fully supported by terminal improvements designed specifically to enable faster processing and reduce congestion.
Since assuming management of NAIA in September 2024, NNIC has introduced upgrades aimed at improving passenger flow and efficiency across the airport. These include the deployment of additional boarding bridges, modern security screening and baggage handling systems, expanded curbside areas, increased parking capacity, and designated pick-up areas for taxis and app-based transport. Power reliability and terminal cooling systems have also 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% 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 hardworking staff at NAIA. We’re just getting started, and we will keep working to build the airport our country deserves,” said Ramon S. Ang, NNIC President.
NNIC is investing approximately ₱170 billion to modernize and expand NAIA over the next several years, in line with its commitment to transform the country’s main gateway into a more efficient, comfortable, and globally competitive airport. The project was awarded to NNIC following a competitive bid that secured the government an 82.16% share in airport revenues, based on adjusted rates set by the DOTr and its financial advisor, the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Under the current public-private partnership, NNIC with its regulator the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and other government stakeholders, are working together to deliver a modernized NAIA that meets the growing demands of the traveling public and supports long-term economic growth.
NNIC 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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