The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) continues to experience a consistent rise in passenger traffic and flight activity, according to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
In November 2023, NAIA handled 3,813,781 passengers, representing a 23% increase over the same period last year and reaching 97% of the passenger volume in November 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The airport also saw a surge in flight movements, with 24,120 commercial, cargo, and utility flights recorded. This represents a 13% increase compared to November 2022 and a 7% increase compared to November 2019.
MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co expressed optimism about meeting the agency’s year-end projections of 45 million passengers and 275,000 flights, which would be approximately 94% and 1% higher than 2019’s full-year passenger and flight volumes, respectively.
“Our confidence is fueled by the impressive 11-month totals, in which we have already accommodated 41,213,734 passengers and 254,174 flights at NAIA, and the anticipated passenger surge during the festive season in December,” Co stated.
MIAA reported a noteworthy improvement in the on-time performance (OTP) of commercial flights in November. The airport achieved an average OTP of 81%, following an upward trend from 80% in September and 82% in October. This significant improvement marks a strong recovery from the dip to 60% experienced in early June due to weather disruptions and global supply chain issues impacting the operations of major airlines.
The top three local carriers, Philippine Airlines (including PAL Express), Cebu Pacific Air (including Cebgo), and AirAsia Philippines, all achieved commendable OTPs of 84%, 83%, and 77%, respectively. These airlines account for 81% of all flights at NAIA.
Among foreign airlines, Ethiopian Airlines achieved a perfect score of 100% on 34 flights, followed by ZIPAIR with 98% on 60 flights. Other airlines with high OTPs include All Nippon Airways, Jeju Air, Air China, Kuwait Airways, Saudia, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines.
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