Airport groups launch OPLAN 2022 for holiday celebrations

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Airport (MIAA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Office of Transportation Security (OTS) under the Department of Transportation and in cooperation with the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) have launched “OPLAN 2022” in commemoration of All Souls’ Day and in celebration of the Christmas holidays.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the lifting of travel restrictions and successful vaccination program of the government promoted confidence among air travelers, as seen in the continuing increase in MIAA’s passenger statistics over recent months.

Bautista said the total monthly passenger traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has reached 77 percent of pre-pandemic levels, or around three million passengers for the month of August 2022.

Domestic traffic has so far peaked to around 109 percent, or 1.94 million passengers compared to the same period in 2019, while international passenger traffic remains at just over 50 percent or 1.06 million passengers of pre-pandemic levels.

International travel has been gradually recovering, as more destinations like Japan and South Korea lift their strict border restrictions.

A composite team from MIAA, CAAP, OTS and PNP-AVSEGROUP composed of public affairs personnel, operations, police and medical units shall be available anytime to assist passengers at the Oplan Help desks.

These desks will be the focal point for all inquiries relating to airport and airline concerns while personnel from the Civil Aeronautics Board will be nearby to attend to issues pertaining to passenger rights under the Air Passenger Bill of Rights.

The MIAA encouraged the Airline Operators Council to designate focal persons so that airline related concerns can be swiftly attended to.

They will work hand-in-hand with the duty representatives at the Oplan Desk.

MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong directed terminal managers to ensure that vital facilities are in good running condition and implement contingency measures stipulated in the MIAA’s Irregular Operations Manual when the need arises.

He ordered MIAA monitoring units from operations and security groups to do constant rounds of the airport premises to forestall congestion and queuing at critical areas.

The security group was directed to increase foot patrol for more visibility to deter incidents of petty crimes in public areas. Perimeter patrol will likewise be heightened and proper deployment of personnel shall be observed at all times.

Undersecretary and OTS chief Ma.O Aplasca reminds travellers not to include guns, live ammo, empty bullet shells, harmful chemicals, and replicas of deadly weapons in their luggage and hand-carry bags. Allowed are not more than 100ml of alcohol and perfumes in hand-carry bags or it will be confiscated at the final check.

Meanwhile, local air carriers Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific (CEB) and AirAsia operating at the NAIA terminals and other major airports in the country remind travelers to allot time for traffic going to the airports, as families pay respect to their departed loved ones in Metro Manila and different provinces during the All Saints’ Day holiday.

Passengers must be at the NAIA terminals at least two hours before departure for domestic flights, and three hours for international flights. Passengers travelling to Dubai are allowed to check in as early as seven hours before departure.

CEB, in a statement, said long lines may be avoided at the airport by checking in via the official CEB mobile app or via the Manage Booking section of the CEB website.

Both options are available from seven days up to one hour before the scheduled time of departure for domestic flights; and up to four hours before the scheduled departure for international fliers.

All check-in counters close one hour before the scheduled time of departure to ensure there is ample time for all necessary pre-flight procedures.

Passengers are encouraged to immediately proceed to their respective boarding gates. Boarding commences 45 minutes before the scheduled departure. Self-tagging luggage for select domestic destinations is also encouraged.

Passengers flying out of select domestic destinations – Manila, Davao, Clark, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Bohol, Iloilo and Zamboanga – are reminded to self-tag their check-in luggage prior to proceeding to counters for bag drops, in line with the airline’s contactless flight procedures.

Passengers must bring only one carry-on bag for a more convenient flight experience. The carry-on bag must not exceed seven kilos in weight and can fit in the overhead bins or under the seat.

Airlines remind passengers that gadgets or food items cannot be checked-in, and items purchased inside the airport require proof of receipt. Vaccination cards are required.

Foreign passengers travelling to the Philippines must accomplish the new electronic Arrival Card or eArrival Card within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. This replaced the One Health Pass as an entry requirement.