NAIA records drop in int'l, domestic passengers after COVID-19
Published Feb 19, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has recorded a drop in international and domestic passenger volume in the wake of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat, a government official disclosed Wednesday.
According to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eddie Monreal, they recorded 1,352,692 international passengers from January 25 to February 17, 2020, which is a 16.74 percent decline from 1,624,698 passengers in the same period last year.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Domestic passengers dropped by 3.42 percent to 1,406,878 for January 25 to February 17 – from the 1,456,705 passengers recorded in the same period last year.
"We have tracked down since January 25 up to February 17 the decline in international passengers... about 300,000 fewer passengers arrival and departure," he said during a Palace press briefing.
"Nagbawas din ang domestic travel ng a little over 3 percent in terms of passenger traffic; a little over 50,000 (fewer passengers)," he added.
In terms of flights, Monreal said there has been a 22 percent decline in inbound and outbound flights following the travel ban on China and its territories over the threat of COVID-19.
Despite the decline in passenger arrivals and departure, Monreal remained optimistic that the passenger volume will improve amid government efforts to promote tourism.
"Ngayon slowly recovering dahil sa mga panukala,dahil sa pag-uusap ng task force (It is now slowly recovering because of the measures discussed by the task force). I'm also praying our tourism will be recovering soon," he said.
"I’m sure there are things that will be implemented. It's a lost opportunity but at the end of the day, there is time to recover and hopefully we will be able to recover soon," he added.
The government earlier imposed a temporary travel ban on foreign travelers from China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan as a precaution against the COVID-19 threat.
But the travel restriction on Taiwan has recently been lifted after the government was convinced by Taiwan's health measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Also, the government has partially lifted the travel ban to Macau and Hong Kong after Filipino workers to return to their places of work.
The COVID-19 which originated in Wuhan, China has rapidly spread to several countries, including the Philippines. More than 1,700 people died from the disease while thousands more have been infected.
READ MORE: WHO urges calm as China virus death toll reaches 2,000
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Domestic passengers dropped by 3.42 percent to 1,406,878 for January 25 to February 17 – from the 1,456,705 passengers recorded in the same period last year.
"We have tracked down since January 25 up to February 17 the decline in international passengers... about 300,000 fewer passengers arrival and departure," he said during a Palace press briefing.
"Nagbawas din ang domestic travel ng a little over 3 percent in terms of passenger traffic; a little over 50,000 (fewer passengers)," he added.
In terms of flights, Monreal said there has been a 22 percent decline in inbound and outbound flights following the travel ban on China and its territories over the threat of COVID-19.
Despite the decline in passenger arrivals and departure, Monreal remained optimistic that the passenger volume will improve amid government efforts to promote tourism.
"Ngayon slowly recovering dahil sa mga panukala,dahil sa pag-uusap ng task force (It is now slowly recovering because of the measures discussed by the task force). I'm also praying our tourism will be recovering soon," he said.
"I’m sure there are things that will be implemented. It's a lost opportunity but at the end of the day, there is time to recover and hopefully we will be able to recover soon," he added.
The government earlier imposed a temporary travel ban on foreign travelers from China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan as a precaution against the COVID-19 threat.
But the travel restriction on Taiwan has recently been lifted after the government was convinced by Taiwan's health measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Also, the government has partially lifted the travel ban to Macau and Hong Kong after Filipino workers to return to their places of work.
The COVID-19 which originated in Wuhan, China has rapidly spread to several countries, including the Philippines. More than 1,700 people died from the disease while thousands more have been infected.
READ MORE: WHO urges calm as China virus death toll reaches 2,000