Passenger traffic at the country’s main air gateway has already crossed a milestone days before Christmas, with airport authorities recording figures never seen before at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Data released by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) showed that daily passenger volume at NAIA exceeded 170,000 on both December 20 and December 21, 2025, marking the busiest days in the airport’s history. The surge coincided with heavy outbound and inbound travel tied to the holiday season.
The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the airport’s private operator, reported that December 20 registered 171,306 passengers, the highest single-day count ever recorded at NAIA. That same day also logged 950 flight movements, another record for the airport. NNIC projects that passenger traffic from December 20 to January 4, 2026 will reach around 2.55 million, representing a 4 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines said traffic is expected to climb further as Christmas approaches, driven largely by overseas Filipinos returning home and Metro Manila residents traveling to the provinces. “Marami ang umuuwi galing abroad papunta sa atin at meron din maraming umuwi galing Maynila papuntang probinsya. Although we were expecting a lot, but we did not realize that ma brebreak yung record natin,” he said.
Despite the volume, Ines said airport operations have remained manageable. He credited recent upgrades under NNIC, including additional immigration e-gates, self-service check-in kiosks, and expanded food options, for helping ease passenger flow during peak days.
At the same time, Ines cautioned travelers to be vigilant against transport-related scams, particularly overpriced rides. He cited an incident last Saturday in which a taxi driver was apprehended for allegedly charging a foreign passenger ₱1,450 for a trip from NAIA to Makati. According to Ines, similar cases have also been monitored by airport authorities. “Meron nag take advantage na transport groups…accredited kung minsan, ginagawa tinataasan ang presyo,” he said.
Outside Metro Manila, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is also bracing for unusually high passenger numbers at provincial airports. Last year, airports such as Davao, Iloilo, and Bacolod collectively handled about 895,000 passengers during the holiday break. This year, CAAP expects that figure to approach one million.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said all airports under the agency’s management have been placed on heightened alert, requiring full manpower deployment to assist travelers amid the influx. He also advised passengers to plan ahead and monitor airline advisories. “Agahan niyo pagpunta airport. Mag check sa social media account ng airlines kasi minsan nagkakaroon ng flight adjustments,” Apolonio said.
