CAAP Airports Prepared for Holy Week: NAIA Expects 1.35M Passengers

CAAP Airports Prepared for Holy Week: NAIA Expects 1.35M Passengers

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | March 30, 2026

MANILA – Philippine air travel hubs are bracing for a significant surge in passenger traffic as Holy Week approaches. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has declared a heightened alert across all its operated airports, projecting approximately 550,000 passengers – a 7-10% increase from last year’s 505,511.

CAAP Director General Retired Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario affirmed the comprehensive preparations: “All CAAP-operated airports are fully prepared to handle the surge in passenger volume, with measures in place to ensure safe, smooth, and convenient travel for all.”

Measures include increased personnel deployment, stricter security, continuous monitoring, and dedicated help desks. Passengers are advised to arrive 2-3 hours early and check flight updates.

Meanwhile, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC),operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), anticipates over 1.35 million passengers from March 28 to April 5, slightly surpassing last year’s 1.32 million. Despite some flight suspensions impacting Middle East services, demand remains strong.

NNIC has deployed additional personnel at critical points (check-in, immigration, security), enhanced airline coordination, extended assistance desk hours, and is actively monitoring terminal congestion. These efforts are in collaboration with key government partners, including DOTr, MIAA, BI, BOC, and OTS.

April 5 (158,884 passengers) and March 28 (157,804 passengers) are projected as the busiest days, with daily traffic consistently exceeding 143,000. Terminal 3 is expected to handle the largest volume (712,932 passengers).

NNIC advises NAIA travelers to account for extra travel time, arrive early, and complete eTravel registration for international flights to ensure a seamless Holy Week journey.