NAIA Hits Record High of 4.96 Million Passengers; NNIC Remits P62.7 Billion

NAIA Terminal 3

NAIA Hits Record High of 4.96 Million Passengers; NNIC Remits P62.7 Billion

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | February 10, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) reached a new milestone last month, handling a record 4.96 million passengers.

The record-breaking increase in the number of passengers was fueled by a post-holiday travel surge, authorities said.

This figure surpassed the previous high of 4.86 million recorded in December 2022, marking January as the busiest month in the airport’s history.

The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), a private consortium operating, maintaining, and modernizing the airport under a public-private partnership, reported that the passenger surge followed a robust holiday travel period from December 20, 2022, to January 4, 2023.

During this period, NAIA served nearly 2.6 million passengers across its terminals, peaking on January 4 with a single-day record of 180,089 passengers.

International travel continues to be a major driver of NAIA’s growth, with 2.42 million international passengers recorded in January, an 8.16 percent increase year-on-year and the highest monthly international volume ever recorded at the airport.

Domestic passenger traffic also rose to 2.54 million, up 3.16 percent compared to the previous year.

The NNIC credited operational improvements implemented over the past year for stable airport operations despite the increased passenger volume.

Airport improvements include terminal upgrades, the rollout of biometric immigration e-gates and passenger processing systems, and enhanced coordination among airlines, government agencies, and airport service providers that optimize queue management, flight scheduling, and passenger flow.

“We are pleased to see the positive impact of our operational improvements,” the NNIC declared in a statement.

“We remain committed to enhancing the passenger experience and ensuring efficient airport operations,” it said.

Billions in Revenue, Minimal Improvements?

Despite the record high in passenger volume and an increase in revenues, some travelers have expressed concern about the lack of tangible improvements within NAIA’s terminals.

While the NNIC has remitted P62.7 billion to the government’s coffers since it assumed operations in September 2024 through a public-private partnership, other passengers say benefits have not fully materialized in terms of terminal facilities and amenities.

“We’re seeing record numbers and hearing about billions in revenue, but the terminals remain outdated and congested,” said a regular traveler who asked not to be identified.

“Where is the money going? We need to see real improvements in the waiting areas, restrooms, and overall airport infrastructure,” he complained.

MIAA’s Role

These concerns raise questions about the oversight and regulatory role of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the government agency responsible for overseeing NAIA’s operations.

Travelers are questioning what MIAA has done to ensure that the NNIC is fulfilling its commitment to modernize and improve the airport for the benefit of passengers.

“What is MIAA doing to hold the NNIC accountable?” asked a traveler.

“Are they actively monitoring the progress of the modernization efforts and ensuring that the revenue generated is being reinvested in the airport’s infrastructure and services?”

The public-private partnership agreement mandates the NNIC to operate, maintain, and modernize NAIA, while ownership remains with the government.

NNIC’s ability to deliver tangible improvements and MIAA’s effectiveness in ensuring accountability and transparency are crucial to transforming NAIA into a world-class airport.