NAIA to increase passenger cap to 10,000; airplanes allowed to operate at full capacity
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is set to increase its passenger cap from 5,000 to 10,000 now that the National Capital Region (NCR), along with 38 other areas, was placed under Alert Level 1, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Thursday, March 3.
DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade said that the agency’s aviation sector is ready for the gradual reopening of the country’s economy.
“Two days ago, we hit 7,500 for inbound passengers at the NAIA. And we are expecting in the next couple of days it will be 10,000 passengers. Are we ready for the gradual increase from 5,000 to 10,000? The answer is yes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tugade said airline companies have returned to operate at 100 percent passenger capacity since Mar. 1. However, universal and mandatory safety measures from departure, inflight, and arrival will remain in effect in all airport facilities and onboard the aircraft.
Tugade also announced that on March 28, the NAIA Terminal 4 would resume its operations with a record of over 150 percent increase in domestic travel posting from January to February.
All establishments, including public transportation operations, will return to full passenger capacity under Alert Level 1.