Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) are expecting a record number of passengers this holiday season.MIAA, regulator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said the country’s main gateway has breached the 170,000 daily passengers both last Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21, 2025.The New NAIA Infra Corp. reported that Saturday’s 171,306 passengers is the highest single-day passenger volume in NAIA’s history. That covers 950 flight activities which is also an all-time high. NNIC expects 2.55 million passengers for the duration of the holiday period from December 20 to January 4, 2026 or a 4 percent increase compared to the same period last year.MIAA General Manager Eric Ines said they still expect numbers to swell in days leading to Christmas. Data from MIAA showed that there was a surge in international arrivals and domestic departures.He said, “Marami ang umuuwi galing abroad papunta sa atin at meron din maraming umuwi galing Maynila papuntang probinsya. Although we were expecting a lot, but we did not realize that ma brebreak yung record natin.”Despite the higher volume of passengers, Ines said airport operations remain smooth so far. The improvements done by NNIC, he said, helped ease some processes like the new immigration e-gates, check-in kiosks, new food halls, among many others.But Ines also warned passengers against scams particularly those vehicles charging a high fare. Last Saturday, the MIAA Special Operations Task Group caught a taxi driver allegedly asking a foreign passenger P1,450 as fare from NAIA to Makati. Ines said there are other similar cases they caught.“Meron nag take advantage na transport groups…accredited kung minsan, ginagawa tinataasan ang presyo,” he added.Meanwhile, CAAP, operator of most provincial airports, also see record number passengers this holiday season. Last year, airports including in Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod and more reported around 895,000 passengers for the holiday break, but this year, CAAP expects nearly a million passengers.CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said all its airports are now under heightened alert due to the expected influx of passengers. Under this status, all employees are required to work to assist passengers. Apolonio also reminded passengers to arrive on time due to possible long queues.“Agahan niyo pagpunta airport. Mag check sa social media account ng airlines kasi minsan nagkakaroon ng flight adjustments,” Apolonio added.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) are expecting a record number of passengers this holiday season.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) are expecting a record number of passengers this holiday season.

MIAA, CAAP expect record number NAIA passengers

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MIAA, CAAP expect record number NAIA passengers

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 22, 2025 11:26 PM PHT

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Updated December 23, 2025 04:33 PM PHT

Read More:

MIAA

CAAP

NAIA

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Christmas

holiday exodus

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