NAIA passenger traffic hits 39 million

MANILA, Philippines — The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is on track for another record high in passenger volume, reaching close to 39 million with a quarter of peak demand left in the year.

Based on records from the Manila International Airport Authority, passenger traffic at the NAIA went up by four percent to 38.88 million from January to September.

This places NAIA at roughly 11 million behind the record 50.1 million in 2024. The country’s main gateway is headed for another busy season with the Christmas rush approaching.

Broken down, domestic passenger volume increased by three percent to 20.76 million.

NAIA is seeing more local travels as airlines add frequency to their domestic flights.

International passenger traffic surged by five percent to 18.12 million. The airport is welcoming more foreign flights from local and international airlines, some of which reach as far as North America.

In April, flag carrier Air Canada launched weekly trips between Manila and Vancouver, becoming the first and only Canadian carrier connecting the two cities on a non-stop basis.

Flag carrier Air India also mounted in October direct flights between Manila and New Delhi.

United Airlines, one of the world’s biggest carriers, added a second option to its Manila flights to San Francisco, as it gears up for homecomings during the Christmas season.

NAIA, on its own, is undergoing a P170.6-billion upgrade by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), led by San Miguel Corp.

NAIA welcomed 51.7 million passengers in its first year as a privately run airport.

As part of rehabilitation efforts, NNIC is preparing to roll out a new facial recognition system at the NAIA, powered by Collins Aerospace.

The system will enable passengers to check in bags, pass through security and board flights using just their face.

NNIC is tasked to increase airport capacity to 62 million per year, from 35 million currently. It is given 15 years to operate and maintain the airport, but the concession could be extended by 10 years depending on its performance.