Airport operator: NAIA’s Undas passenger traffic rose 4.4% to 1.29M

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• Passenger traffic at NAIA rose 4.4 percent to 1.29 million during the nine-day Undas travel period, exceeding the airport operator’s forecast.
• International passengers increased 3.94 percent to 649,691, while domestic traffic grew 4.86 percent to 642,194.
• October 30 was the busiest day, with 153,901 passengers passing through the country’s main international gateway.

Passenger traffic at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) increased by 4.4 percent to 1.29 million during the nine-day Undas travel period, surpassing initial projections as both domestic and international travel demand strengthened.

In a statement on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, airport operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) said the airport handled 1,291,885 passengers from October 27 to November 4, 2026, compared with 1,237,475 during the corresponding period last year.

The actual passenger count exceeded NNIC’s conservative forecast of 1.25 million by 3.4 percent. The operator had initially projected passenger growth of just one percent.

Domestic travel leads growth

Domestic passenger traffic grew faster than international travel, rising 4.86 percent to 642,194 passengers from 612,419 a year earlier.

International passenger volume increased 3.94 percent to 649,691 from 625,056 during the comparable period in 2025.

October 30 emerged as the busiest travel day, with 153,901 passengers passing through NAIA, exceeding the projected 149,216 travelers.

Ramon Ang

The San Miguel chief said more ongoing improvements will result in a more efficient airport going forward.

The figures indicate sustained demand for air travel during the extended All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day holiday period, with domestic travel recording the stronger percentage increase.

Airport operations strengthened

NNIC said it deployed additional personnel, intensified security measures and maintained round-the-clock operational monitoring to accommodate the holiday passenger surge.

A 24-hour Command Center at Terminal 2 coordinated airport operations and incident response, while additional screening personnel, immigration counters and security patrols supported passenger processing.

Public Assistance Desks at Terminals 1, 2 and 3 provided travelers with information and assistance throughout the holiday period.

Coordination across agencies

NNIC also coordinated with the Department of Transportation, Manila International Airport Authority, Bureau of Immigration and other government agencies to manage passenger movements.

Traffic management teams worked with transport providers and road authorities to ease vehicle congestion around airport terminals, while inter-terminal shuttle services facilitated passenger transfers.

The airport operator said it continues to improve passenger processing, terminal access and airport facilities as NAIA accommodates growing travel demand.

— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas