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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider NAIA expects 1.35 million travelers during Holy Week rush

NAIA expects 1.35 million travelers during Holy Week rush

Published Mar 28, 2026 02:41 pm
Passengers flock to NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Sunday, Dec. 21, as they travel abroad to celebrate Christmas and New Year, with airport authorities expecting increased passenger traffic during the peak holiday season. (Photo by John Louie Abrina I MB)
Passengers flock to NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Sunday, Dec. 21, as they travel abroad to celebrate Christmas and New Year, with airport authorities expecting increased passenger traffic during the peak holiday season. (Photo by John Louie Abrina I MB)

San Miguel Corp. (SMC)-led operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) expects more than 1.35 million passengers to pass through main gateway Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the Holy Week travel period from March 28 to April 5, slightly higher than last year’s level.

For the nine-day peak window, passenger volume is projected to reach 1,353,265, compared with 1,326,730 recorded during the comparable Semana Santa period in 2025, NNIC said in a statement on Saturday, March 28.

NNIC said passenger demand remains strong, although the increase is lower than earlier expected due to flight suspensions and operating restrictions affecting some Middle East services amid the ongoing war in Iran.

To manage the expected surge, the airport operator said it has rolled out additional measures, including deploying more personnel at check-in counters, immigration and security screening areas, strengthening coordination with airlines and ground handlers, extending hours for passenger assistance desks, and implementing real-time monitoring of terminal congestion.

These efforts are being carried out in coordination with government agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Office for Transportation Security (OTS), as well as airline and ground handling partners.

NNIC said April 5, Easter Sunday, is expected to be the busiest day of the period, with projected traffic of 158,884 passengers, followed by March 28 with 157,804. Daily passenger volume is forecast to remain above 143,000 throughout the travel period.

Terminal 3 is projected to handle the largest share of traffic at 712,932 passengers, followed by Terminal 2 with 346,342 and Terminal 1 with 293,990.

Since taking over airport operations in September 2024, NNIC has implemented a series of upgrades at NAIA aimed at easing congestion, improving passenger facilities, enhancing terminal operations, and raising service standards. These include improvements in passenger areas, traffic and queue management, airside and landside coordination, and the rollout of new systems and facilities to improve efficiency and passenger experience.

NNIC advised passengers to check flight advisories, allow extra travel time, and arrive early at the airport as agencies and service providers manage the annual Holy Week surge. International passengers were also reminded to complete their eTravel registration before heading to the airport to avoid delays in processing.

Related Tags

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) Holy Week
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