MANILA – Daily passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) this Holy Week could reach up to 157,000, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) general manager Lito Alvarez recently said.
“Last year, the (average daily passenger volume) was 145,000. We expect 155,000 to 157,000 daily this year,” Alvarez told media. NAIA, he said, catered to a daily average of 160,000 passengers during the holiday season in December to January. He thus expressed confidence that the airport could also handle the expected surge.
Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval told media that around 30 more personnel will be deployed at the NAIA this Holy Week.
In the same press briefing Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, said inconveniences may not be avoided due to the higher volume of passengers.
He urged t public to be more patient, especially toward airport workers.
Dizon and other government officials also recently visited the NAIA terminals.
He and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco lauded operator NNIC and regulator Manila International Airport Authority for the improvements made in the airport so far.
“My observation is that customers welfare come first, and much attention was given to this endeavor,” Frasco said, adding that the NNIC has started renovating restrooms, and she is looking forward to further improvements, especially those driven by Filipino culture and an area showcasing Philippine gastronomy.
Dizon, on the other hand, noted that more transport options have been made available, and processing of passengers have become faster.
Alvarez has vowed that the public could expect more improvements in the coming months. The NNIC targets to accommodate 54 million passengers this year, 3 million more than the 2024 tally.
The San Miguel Corp.-led consortium decided to halt the renovation at Terminal 4. “We decided not to pursue the renovation because it is a hazard. A replacement terminal will instead be developed in the International Cargo Terminal, where AirAsia domestic flights and some of Cebu Pacific’s flights will be hosted,” Alvarez said.
He added the Philippine Village Hotel will also be demolished starting April 21 for the construction of Terminal 5 that is expected to be finished in two to three years. The Bureau of Immigration is currently procuring new e-gates, he said.
Alvarez said that by September, passengers will experience modernization through the NNIC’s partnership with US-based Collins Aerospace. The “full system overhaul” include self-service check-in kiosks, pre-security e-gates, self-bag drop stations, and biometric boarding gates. (PNA)