More travelers at NAIA seen

MANILA, Philippines — Passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is expected to increase by 20 to 30 percent as more foreign airlines have expressed interest in operating at NAIA, according to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). 

About four million passengers have been recorded in January and February, MIAA general manager Eric Ines said over the weekend. 

Officials are expecting this year’s numbers to exceed the 50.1 million passengers recorded in 2024, he noted. 

Ines said the MIAA and New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) are projecting more travelers during the Holy Week break from April 17 to 20. 

The MIAA, he said, is coordinating with the NNIC to ensure that agreements with foreign airlines are being fulfilled. 

More BI officers to be deployed 

 Meanwhile, 30 immigration officers will be deployed at the NAIA and other airports nationwide after completing their training, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). 

After finishing a five-week training at the Philippine Immigration Academy in Intramuros, graduates of the Border Control Officers’ Module I Class 35 attended a ceremony on March 21. 

“Through rigorous training, they have developed the expertise needed to secure our borders while ensuring efficient service for travelers. Their deployment is a testament to our commitment to modernization and excellence,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said. 

Sixteen female and 14 male officers comprise the class.