The Manila International Airport Authority on Sunday reported a 23 percent year-on-year surge in passenger volume and flight movement at Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA in November.

In a report, MIAA said that passenger count throughout November reached 3,813,781 — inclusive of 2,019,882 domestic and 1,793,899 international travelers and the number represented a 23 percent surge compared to the same period last year.

However, the number is only equivalent to 97 percent of the total passenger count in 2019 — the last full year unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co said he is confident that NAIA can meet its year-end projections of 45 million passengers and 275,000 flights — approximating 94 percent of 2019's full-year passenger volume and 1 percent above 2019's full-year total flight movement.

MIAA attributed NAIA's upward trajectory to the improvement in the on-time performance or OTP of commercial flights.

"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.

The MIAA attributed NAIA's upward trajectory to the improvement in the on-time performance or OTP of commercial flights.

NAIA's OTP was rated 81 percent in November, slightly lower than 82 percent in October and marginally higher than 80 percent in September, but it was still seen as a turnaround from a 60 percent dip in early June due to operational disruptions due to weather and global supply chain issues.

Co also 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 percent 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 within the top 10 include All Nippon Airways, Jeju Air, Air China, Kuwait Airways, Saudia, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines.