MIAA sees over 1 million arrivals this Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is expecting an influx of over one million passengers this coming Holy Week.

MIAA general manager Eric Ines anticipates a 15 percent increase in passenger volume during this year’s Semana Santa, or from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Last year, the MIAA recorded 926,755 passengers passing through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals.

To make travel a better experience for everyone, he said the MIAA, in its Biyaheng Ayos, already ensured adequate manpower, equipment, and optimal working conditions for amenities and key facilities that include critical airport utilities and backup systems.

It has also coordinated with Maynilad for an uninterrupted water service and made sure that all generator sets, in case of power failure, will be working properly.

Ines said that provisions, such as “malasakit kits,” would be available for passengers in case of flight disruptions, along with assistance desks in all four terminals to address passenger concerns.

“Our domestic operations, in particular, have been consistently surpassing pre-pandemic flight movement and passenger volume. We anticipate travelers taking advantage of exploring local destinations, the ease and convenience of air travel, summer airline promotions, or simply vacationing and being with family during this time,” Ines said.

For the first 14 days of March 2024 alone, the MIAA recorded passenger volume to be at 1,853,132. The number ranged between 128,000 and 138,000 for this two-week period, or a daily average of 132,367 passengers.

Ines said they are expecting passenger traffic during the Holy Week to reach 140,000 per day – a figure that is close to the pre-pandemic Lenten season when the daily average hit 140,812, or a total of 1,126,501 passengers in eight days.

To accommodate an increase in the number of flights, the MIAA shortened the closure schedules of Runway 06/24 and is collaborating with the Bureau of Immigration and Office for Transportation Security to manage critical choke points and avoid very long lines at immigration counters and final security points.

The MIAA, Ines added, is also coordinating with the PNP