THE CIVIL Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is gearing up for the expected influx of air travelers this holiday season.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said they are expecting about 980,000 passengers to traverse the country’s airports – higher than the 895,000 recorded travelers in a two-week period during last year’s Holiday exodus.
“Normally meron tayong at least 7-10 percent yearly ang increase ng surge ng mga travel ng ating mga kababayan during Holiday season,” Apolonio said in an television interview with state-run media PTV Thursday, December 11.
He continued: “Last year po was around 895,000 ‘yung nakuha naming data for two weeks ‘yon, ‘yung Oplan Biyaheng Ayos po namin. Ngayon, ine-expect natin about 980,000 o baka sumobra pa,” he added.
All 44 CAAP-operated commercial airports are now on heightened alert in anticipation of the passenger influx, according to Apolonio.
“Meaning, ‘yung mga empleyado natin hindi pwedeng mag-leave at hindi pwedeng bakasyon ‘yan. Dapat nandun sa airport during that time na holiday season,” he stated.
The CAAP official further noted that all help desks and medical teams have been activated to assist passengers in need as well as to assure safety and security in airports.
“Well, coordinated na po ‘yung ating tinatawag na ‘Malasakit’ help desk. May isang lamesa diyan na sama-sama ‘yung airport partners natin, ‘yung Civil Aeronautics Board, PNP, OTS, at ating mga airline partners at empleyado ng CAAP just in case na may pangangailamgan doon sa issue ng flight,” Apolonio said.
He also advised travelers to arrive at the airport three hours on average before flight, regularly check their flight status and not to bring prohibited items to avoid delays prior to departure.
“Kaya lang ang nangyayari ho sa final screening, ‘yung mga hand-carried luggage minsan nakikitaan ng mga illegal substance o mga pinagbabawal kaya dun nagtatagal dahil nakapila, humahaba ‘yung pila,” he explained.
He added: “Kung pupwede sana, alam naman ng mga pasahero kung ano ‘yung mga bawal na dapat dalhin, sana ‘wag na nilang isama dahil makikita talaga ‘yan sa final checking.” (ABS-CBN News)
