NAIA continues to track improved passenger volume, flight movements, on-time performance

With a steady increase in both passenger volume and flight movement at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is sure to end the year on a positive note on Sunday.

In November 2023, MIAA recorded 3,813,781 passengers, including 2,019,882 domestic and 1,793,899 foreign travelers. This number represents a strong 23 percent increase over the same period in the previous year, and corresponds to 97 percent of the total number of passengers in November 2019—the final full year that the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect.

Simultaneously, NAIA saw a strong increase in flight movement last November, exceeding the records of both 2022 and 2019. The 24,120 commercial, cargo, and utility flights—14,520 domestic and 9,600 international—manifest a 13 percent increment from November 2022 and a 7 percent growth from November 2019.

MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co is still confident that NAIA will be able to meet its year-end goals of 45 million passengers and 275,000 flights, which equates to roughly 94 percent of all passengers for 2019 and 1 percent more flights than all flights for the year.

Co also expressed optimism, stating, "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."

The on-time performance (OTP) of commercial flights has significantly improved, which supports NAIA's growth trend even more. November's average OTP was 81 percent, according to NAIA data, which came after October's 82 percent and September's 80 percent OTPs. This momentum has returned after falling to 60 percent in the first part of June as a result of weather-related operational difficulties and global supply chain problems that impacted the fleet of large airlines. The prompt and cooperative actions taken by aviation stakeholders allowed for a speedy recovery.

Co highlighted the impressive OTP ratings of the top three local carriers, with Philippine Airlines (including PAL Express) recording an average OTP of 84 percent in November, followed by Cebu Pacific Air (including Cebgo) at 83 percent and AirAsia Philippines at 77 percent.

"The exceptional OTP of our major local airlines, accounting for 81% of all flights at NAIA, is truly commendable. This impressive performance not only demonstrates their dedication to operational excellence but also significantly enhances the overall efficiency of our airport system," Co said.

In terms of foreign airlines' OTP ranking, Ethiopian Airlines topped the list with a perfect score of 100 percent on 34 flights, followed closely by ZIPAIR with 98 percent on 60 flights. Other airlines included in the top 10 were All Nippon Airways, Jeju Air, Air China, Kuwait Airways, Saudia, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines.