BUSINESS

NAIA braces for more foreign flights

International passenger traffic rose 2.6 percent to 19.93 million from 1 January to 22 October, despite global aviation disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. NAIA handled 19.93 million, or 507,772 more than the 19.42 million international passengers recorded during the same period last year.

Maria Bernadette Romero · Oct 25, 2026, 12:31 AM

OVER two years since SMC-led New NAIA Infra Corp. took over, the latter has spent P6.8 billion out of a total P72 billion rehabilitation program on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Improvements include new lounges, self-check-in kiosks and automated immigration processes while plans for the future will have terminal reassignments and expansion to increase capacity 62 million passengers yearly. — Photograph courtesy of New NAIA

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is preparing for more international flights as foreign and local carriers expand their networks, putting pressure on the country’s busiest aviation gateway to accommodate growing passenger demand.

International passenger traffic rose 2.6 percent to 19.93 million from 1 January to 22 October, despite global aviation disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

NAIA operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) said over the weekend that the airport handled 507,772 more international passengers than the 19.42 million recorded during the same period last year.

International travelers accounted for 48.1 percent of total passenger traffic, up from 46.6 percent a year earlier, while domestic traffic declined 3.4 percent to 21.49 million.

Growing travel demand to and from the Philippines

“It’s encouraging to see international passenger traffic continuing to grow despite the challenges affecting aviation worldwide. It shows that demand for travel to and from the Philippines remains strong,” NNIC general manager Lito Alvarez said.

“Our responsibility is to make sure NAIA can support that demand with better facilities, more reliable operations and a better experience for passengers.”

Airlines are expanding their international services, with Air France resuming Philippine operations and Philippine Airlines preparing to launch nonstop flights to Chicago in November and to Delhi and Mumbai in December, subject to regulatory approval for the Indian routes.

Delta Air Lines is also scheduled to introduce nonstop Los Angeles-Manila flights in March 2027, initially operating three times weekly before increasing to daily service in June.

Indian carrier IndiGo is likewise expected to introduce Manila services, further expanding international connectivity.

Sixth most connected airport

The expansion follows NAIA’s ranking as the world’s sixth most connected airport for international low-cost carriers in aviation data provider OAG’s 2026 Megahubs index.

Growth continued into October, with international passenger traffic rising 2.05 percent to 1.39 million during the first 22 days of the month.

Meanwhile, NNIC is accelerating airport improvements to support growing traffic at NAIA, which handled a record 52 million passengers in 2025, exceeding its original annual design capacity of 35 million.

The company has spent more than P6.8 billion on completed and ongoing upgrades, including 78 automated immigration e-gates at Terminals 1 and 3, expanded parking and transport facilities, and improvements to passenger waiting areas, boarding facilities, and other terminal infrastructure.

Ongoing projects include upgrades to the airport control tower, baggage handling systems, power infrastructure, and aircraft handling facilities.

The new North Wing Bus Gate at Terminal 2 and additional passenger boarding bridges are also expected to become operational soon.

Despite ongoing construction, NAIA’s system-wide on-time performance improved to 81.07 percent from 1 January to 22 October, compared with 77.92 percent a year earlier.