The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) hit a record high of 161,000 passengers on Saturday, surpassing projected numbers for the pre-Christmas travel period.
Travelers Reunite for the Holidays
For many passengers, the holiday season marks a long-awaited reunion with loved ones. Rolando Macalisang, traveling to Zamboanga, expressed joy at finally seeing his mother and children after three years. Angela Ronquillo and her sibling also headed to Zamboanga to spend eight days with family, while Kate Limpoco opted for a Monday departure to avoid the peak crowds, traveling with her family to Dumaguete City.
Surge in Domestic and International Travel
According to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), of the 161,000 passengers recorded, 81,683 were domestic travelers. Passenger numbers slightly dipped on Sunday but remained robust, with 152,000 travelers expected on Monday.
NAIA Terminals 2 and 3 experienced the brunt of the holiday rush, with additional Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel deployed to manage the influx. Mobile counters and standby staff further eased congestion, with BI personnel permitted to greet travelers with “Merry Christmas” while being reminded not to solicit or accept gifts.
PITX and Other Transportation Hubs
The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) also saw heavy foot traffic, logging 183,000 passengers by Monday evening. Fully booked trips to regions like Bicol were reported, although walk-in options remained available.
PITX recorded its highest passenger count on December 23, 2023, with over 204,000 travelers.
Meanwhile, the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) reported light traffic Monday evening, as many motorists had already traveled between Thursday and Sunday. Approximately 1,500 traffic patrol officers and emergency personnel have been deployed along NLEX and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) until January 3. Free towing for Class 1 vehicles is available starting Tuesday, with the Candaba Viaduct open to ease traffic flow.
Batangas Port Challenges
At Batangas Port, long queues persisted as passengers secured tickets amid organized scheduling efforts. Over 26,000 passengers passed through the port on Sunday, with disturbances reported after unassigned passengers boarded a ship, prompting temporary closures.
Record Holiday Travel
The surge in travel activity underscores the nation’s robust holiday spirit, with NAIA, PITX, and other transportation hubs working to accommodate the record numbers of Filipinos heading home to celebrate Christmas with their families.