NAIA international traffic rises 3%

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are pushing ahead with overseas trips despite higher plane fares, lifting passenger traffic by three percent at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) yesterday said the airport’s international traffic has gone up to 19.93 million passengers as of Oct. 22, from 19.42 million a year ago.

Apart from this, October’s international volume is also on track for growth, rising by two percent to 1.39 million passengers to date.

However, domestic passenger volume decreased by three percent to 21.49 million, an indication that Filipinos reduced local trips to save cash, as airfares hit new highs due to elevated fuel prices.

NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez said it is encouraging to see overseas traffic pick up in the face of cost pressures and route cancellations.

“It shows that demand for travel to and from the Philippines remains strong. So our responsibility is to make sure NAIA can support that demand with better facilities, more reliable operations and a better experience for passengers,” Alvarez said.

NAIA draws 48 percent of its passenger traffic from international flights.

In November, flag carrier Philippine Airlines will launch direct flights to Chicago to widen its North American coverage. By December, PAL is headed to India with direct services to Delhi and Mumbai.

Air France has resumed direct flights between Manila and Paris in line with seasonal adjustments. Next year, American carrier Delta Airlines will return to Manila with weekly flights to Los Angeles.

Indian carrier IndiGo will also enter the picture, bringing a low-cost alternative to the Philippines-India corridor.

More OFWs arrive at NAIA

Meanwhile, another 49 overseas Filipino workers from Dammam, Saudi Arabia arrived at NAIA yesterday morning, bringing the total number of OFWs who have returned from that country to 248.

Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief, said the OFWs originated from Riyadh and traveled to Dammam to proceed with their journey home after being affected by flight cancellations and delays.

“We understand the anxiety of our OFWs and their families waiting in the Philippines. That is why our welfare officers were there to accompany them, attend to their needs and assist them on their journey home,” Caunan said.

At least 326 more workers are scheduled to return home with confirmed flights from Oct. 24 to 31. Travel arrangements are also being made for 72 more OFWs on Nov. 2.