The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been bustling with activity this year. From January to September 2023, the NAIA welcomed a whopping passenger count of 33,757,646. That’s not just a 9% jump from the total passenger count in 2022; it’s also a remarkable 59% increase compared to the same period last year. The numbers are so good, they’re almost back to what they were before the pandemic hit in 2019.
Flights Are Taking Off Like Never Before
NAIA recorded 206,050 flights from January to September this year. That’s a 31% increase from the same time frame in 2022 and even 2% higher than the first three quarters of 2019. The third quarter of this year has been the busiest, with July 2023 setting the record for the most passengers in a single month at 4,185,555. August wasn’t far behind, logging the most flights in a month at 23,969.
On-Time Flights and Improved Operations
NAIA’s on-time performance (OTP) rate hit an average of 80% in September 2023. That’s a big jump from the 60% low in early June. The airport has been using tech solutions and real-time monitoring to keep things running smoothly. Even when there were disruptions like Red Lightning Alerts, the airport managed to keep the OTP high.
Bryan Co, the Officer-in-Charge at MIAA, said, “MIAA remains on track to achieve our year-end projections of 45 million passengers and 275,000 flights by the end of 2023.” He also mentioned that these numbers are set to go beyond the pre-pandemic levels, showing how the airport has bounced back.
NAIA is on a roll this year, with passenger numbers and flights both on the rise. The airport is not just busy; it’s also more efficient than ever, thanks to tech upgrades and close work with airlines. All in all, NAIA is set to close out 2023 on a high note, aiming for 45 million passengers and 275,000 flights by year’s end.
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