NAIA records 23% surge in air passengers in Nov

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NAIA records 23% surge in air passengers in Nov
Image from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
  • Ninoy Aquino International Airport experienced a 23% year-on-year surge in the number of air travelers in November 2023
  • The passenger volume is 97% of the pre-COVID November 2019 level
  • Flight movement rose 13% rise from November 2022 and 7% from November 2019
  • The airport achieved an 81% on-time performance for commercial flights in November, improving from a 60% dip in June
  • Airport authorities are confident of meeting projections of 45 million passengers and 275,000 flights for 2023

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recorded a 23% year-on-year surge in the number of air travelers in November to 3,813,781.

The latest figure–representing 2,019,882 domestic and 1,793,899 international passengers–is 97% of the pre-COVID November 2019 level.

Flights reached 24,120 in November, a 13% increase from November 2022 and a 7% growth from November 2019. There were 14,520 domestic flights and 9,600 international flights in the latest count.

Additionally, NAIA achieved an 81% on-time performance (OTP) for commercial flights in November, a significant improvement from the 60% dip experienced in early June due to weather disruptions and global supply chain issues affecting major airlines. The positive trend in OTP follows ratings of 82% in October and 80% in September.

Manila International Airport Authority officer-in-charge Bryan Co in a statement attributed the continued improvement in OTP to proactive and collaborative measures implemented by aviation stakeholders. Co highlighted the impressive OTP ratings of the top three local carriers, with Philippine Airlines, including PAL Express, achieving an average OTP of 84% in November, followed by Cebu Pacific Air at 83%, and AirAsia Philippines at 77%.

Expressing confidence in meeting year-end projections, Co said NAIA is well-positioned to reach its target of 45 million passengers and 275,000 flights in 2023. This would approximate 94% of 2019’s full-year passenger volume and exceed 2019’s total flight movement by 1%.

“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 said.

READ: NAIA 9-month passenger volume surpasses full-year 2022 total

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