THE CIVIL Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is on “heightened alert” as it anticipates about 1 million air passengers spurring the surge in Christmas season travel.
The CAAP said it’s expecting at least 960,000 passengers during this year’s holiday peak, a 7 percent growth from 895,000 passengers tallied in 2024.
With the expected congestion of airport operations, CAAP has implemented an “heightened alert status” across all airports in the country from December 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026.
CAAP also designated help desks at all airports to assist travelers with their concerns. It also added security personnel and put more medical teams on standby.
“The safety and convenience of the traveling public remain our top priority. We are ensuring that passengers experience safe, orderly, and efficient airport operations throughout the holiday period,” said CAAP Director General Raul Del Rosario.
At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) alone, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) reported 4.62 million passengers in December 2024. Broken down, international passengers account for 2.22 million, while domestic passengers numbered 2.4 million.
In 2024, San Miguel Corp-led New Naia Infrastructure Corp. took over the operations of NAIA.
As of the first nine months, the Civil Aeronautics Board data tallied 46.84 million passenger traffic, indicating a 6.25 percent growth from last year.
Domestic flights accounted for 24.95 million passenger volumes, while international operations contributed 21.89 million passenger traffic. (Nami D. Padilla © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
