While the current daily passenger arrival capacity of 2,000 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is an improvement from the previous cap of 1,500, the increase is negligible and doesn't translate to more inbound flights.
This was Philippine Airlines (PAL) Spokesperson Cielo Villaluna's observation-slash-sentiment, which she shared on her social media.
"With this daily 2,000 passenger arrival count shared across all carriers landing in Manila, that means limited passenger flights. This has led to flight cancellations in order to be within arrival limitations," she said.
"Hope more arrivals will be allowed to address the flight of the stranded -- our kababayans (countrymen), our modern-day heroes and all other returning Filipinos who have to be moved to later flights and continue to wait...and wait," added Villaluna.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Chief Hans Leo Cacdac has confirmed receiving reports that hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) have been stranded in the Middle East. They're unable to come home to the Philippines due the prevailing travel restrictions, the reports claimed.