The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is optimistic about keeping the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) flights on time during the busy Undas season this year. This comes after the airport recorded an On-Time Performance (OTP) of 82.38% in the first 18 days of October. The airport has been doing well, especially after a successful Holy Week operation earlier this year.
A Closer Look at the Numbers
In October, from the 1st to the 18th, MIAA saw more than two million passengers pass through NAIA. The daily passenger count ranged from 109,000 to 123,000. This follows a peak OTP of 80% in September, matching another high in March. The OTP measures whether flights leave or arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, a standard that NAIA has been meeting quite well.
Bryan Co, the Officer in Charge at MIAA, believes that the airport will continue this trend of punctuality, especially during the peak seasons. His confidence isn’t just talk; it’s based on the successful handling of over one million passengers during the “OPLAN Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2023” in April. During that ten-day period, the airport managed an average of 741 flights daily with an OTP of 84.76%.
Bryan Co said, “With the commitment of our airline and industry partners, we aim to maintain our strong OTP record from the Lenten rush this year. Our objective is to minimize crowding in passenger and aircraft movement areas through the timely dispatch of flights. We’re striving to establish this as a norm at NAIA. Thanks to our partnerships with airlines and government agencies, passengers are starting to notice a positive shift in NAIA operations.”
Airlines Step Up
Airlines are also doing their part to make sure passengers have a smooth experience. Cebu Pacific has increased its number of spare aircraft to deal with any unexpected disruptions. They’ve even partnered with food stalls in Terminal 3 to keep passengers fed during delays. Philippine Airlines now offers a paid lounge in Terminal 2 for extra comfort. Air Asia is planning to set up multiple customer help desks in Terminal 2 and encourages passengers to use self check-in options.
The Department of Transportation has a nationwide plan called “OPLAN Biyaheng Ayos: Barangay & SK Elections and Undas 2023,” set to run from October 27 to November 5. This aims to ensure that the travel experience during this period is as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
The NAIA is gearing up for a busy Undas 2023 season and is optimistic about maintaining high OTP rates. With airlines also taking steps to improve the passenger experience, travelers can look forward to efficient and comfortable journeys.
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