NAIA braces for 1.25M Undas travelers; Oct. 30 seen as busiest day

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is preparing for an estimated 1.25 million passengers during the Undas travel period from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4, with airport authorities projecting Oct. 30 to be the busiest day.

In a news release, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the airport operator, said it expects passenger traffic during the nine-day period to increase by 1% from the 1.24 million recorded during the same period last year. About 149,000 travelers are expected to pass through the airport on Oct. 30 alone.

To manage the holiday rush, NNIC said it would deploy additional personnel, strengthen security and passenger assistance services, and maintain round-the-clock monitoring of airport operations.

A 24-hour command center at Terminal 2 will coordinate responses to disruptions and other operational concerns, with airport personnel working alongside airlines, ground handlers, transport providers and government agencies, NNIC said.

The preparations involve the Department of Transportation, Manila International Airport Authority, Office for Transportation Security, Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Quarantine and other agencies handling airport security, passenger processing and border control.

Police patrols will be increased at terminal entrances, curbside areas and parking facilities, with K-9 units and tighter access controls also deployed.

Additional screening personnel and checkpoints will be activated during peak hours, while technical teams will reportedly be ready to address equipment failures.

Immigration, customs and quarantine counters will be adjusted according to passenger volume, with additional counters opened when needed to ease queues.

Public Assistance Desks will operate around the clock in the arrival and departure areas of Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to provide directions, travel information, medical assistance and other services.

Traffic, baggage and flight operations

NNIC will also coordinate with road authorities and deploy traffic marshals to manage heavier vehicle traffic around the airport.

Taxi and shuttle services will be adjusted during peak periods, while inter-terminal shuttles will be scheduled according to passenger demand, NNIC said.

Additional porters and baggage carts will be made available to help travelers with their luggage.

On the airside, airport personnel will coordinate aircraft parking arrangements to accommodate additional and unscheduled flights and minimize delays caused by limited aircraft stand availability. Medical, firefighting, safety, engineering and technical teams will remain on duty throughout the travel period.

The operator said its teams would closely monitor aircraft movements, baggage handling and congestion at terminal entrances, check-in counters and boarding gates. NNIC will work with airlines and ground handlers to address bottlenecks and flight disruptions.

New facilities, immigration e-gates

The airport is entering this year's Undas period with additional facilities and supposedly upgraded passenger processing systems following more than two years of modernization under NNIC.

Among the developments is the completion of 78 automated immigration e-gates at Terminals 1 and 3. The gates allow eligible passengers to complete immigration processing in about 20 seconds, subject to Bureau of Immigration screening requirements.

Upgraded flight information displays, improved terminal access and waiting areas, and additional passenger facilities are also expected to support operations during the holiday period.

New restaurants, dining areas and lounges have likewise opened across the terminals, expanding the options available to passengers waiting for their flights.

Travel reminders

NNIC advised passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic flights. Travelers should also verify their flight status and assigned terminal before leaving home and allow extra time for road traffic and security screening.

Passengers are encouraged to check in online when the service is available, prepare their travel documents in advance and observe baggage restrictions.

International travelers required to register through eTravel should complete the process within 72 hours before their scheduled arrival or departure. Registration is free through the official eTravel platform or the eGovPH app.

Passengers were also reminded to use authorized airport transport services and report illegal solicitors to airport personnel or police.

Those requiring assistance may approach the Public Assistance Desks at their respective terminals.— MCG, GMA News

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