NAIA breaks flight record; passenger volume rebounds to 95%

Saturday, January 6, 2024

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) concluded its operations in 2023 on a remarkable note, surpassing pre-pandemic levels of flight activities, marking the airport’s highest recorded figures in history. Passenger numbers reached 95% of the 2019 totals, the year preceding the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry.

Managed by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), NAIA reported a total of 279,953 flights in 2023, consisting of 171,605 domestic flights and 108,348 international flights. This signifies a 26% increase from the 2022 count of 221,595 flights and a 3% rise from the 2019 figure of 271,535 flights.

Expressing contentment with the vigorous flight activities, particularly in domestic operations, MIAA General Manager Eric Jose Ines remarked, “Our domestic flights have seen a 12% increase compared to 2019. This substantial resurgence in domestic travel not only showcases the resilience of our local aviation sector but also highlights travelers’ support in rejuvenating our domestic tourism industry.”

“We have also restored international flight operations to 91% of pre-pandemic levels. The renewed confidence in air travel is heartening, affirming our collective efforts in steering the aviation sector back to its pre-pandemic state. This marks a significant stride towards returning global air travel to normalcy,” added Ines.

Moreover, MIAA successfully met its annual projection by catering to 45,385,987 passengers at NAIA, comprising 24,887,157 domestic travelers and 20,498,830 international passengers. This marks a 47% increase from the previous year’s 30,943,105 passengers and accounts for 95% of the total 47,693,203 passengers in 2019.

Ines said, “Domestic borders were the first to open up after the COVID-19 restrictions. This has substantially boosted domestic tourism, as it is easier for passengers to travel to domestic destinations compared to international ones. With global borders opening up, international travel is rebounding, and it’s only a matter of time before we reach pre-pandemic levels for international flights and passengers.”

December 2023 recorded the highest number of flights at 25,779, while July saw the highest passenger count at 4,185,555.

In anticipation of the ongoing recovery in air travel, MIAA has implemented measures to handle the surge in flight movements and passenger traffic. Initiatives like the Schedule and Terminal Rationalization Assignment (STAR) program optimized the capacity of the four NAIA terminals by rearranging terminal assignments for specific airlines. Additionally, the effective management of schedules through the Airport Integrated Command and Control Center (AICCC) allowed MIAA to accommodate up to 800 flights departing from and arriving at NAIA within a 24-hour period.

Further enhancements in facilities, infrastructure, equipment, runways, and terminals are underway to accommodate the growing number of passengers and flights in the future. The ongoing NAIA Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project, currently in the bidding process, aims to handle up to 62 million passengers annually.

“In light of these initiatives, we assure the public that their enhanced experience is our priority. We are pleased to report that we are on track to provide an improved NAIA experience going forward,” reassured Ines.

« Back to Page