The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has recorded an unprecedented number of flights in 2023, surpassing even the pre-pandemic levels. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) reported a total of 279,953 flights for the year, comprising 171,605 domestic and 108,348 international flights.
This figure represents a significant 26% year-on-year increase from the 221,595 flights recorded in 2022 and is 3% higher than the 271,535 flights in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines highlighted the remarkable recovery of domestic flights, which played a crucial role in this achievement. “This strong domestic rebound is not only a testament to the resilience of our local aviation industry but also reflects the support of travelers in revitalizing our domestic tourism sector,” Ines commented.
Ines also emphasized the recovery in international flight operations, which have now returned to 91% of pre-pandemic levels. “We are encouraged by the renewed confidence in air travel, reaffirming our collective efforts to steer the aviation sector back to pre-pandemic levels. This is a significant step towards normalcy in global air travel,” Ines added.