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The Ninoy Aquino International Airport set a passenger and flight record in 2024
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NAIA handled 50.1 million passengers, up 5.08% from its previous high in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 10.43% higher than in 2023
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The country’s main gateway also recorded 293,488 flights last year, an 8.08% increase compared to 2019 and a 4.83% rise from 2023
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During the peak holiday travel period from December 30 to January 1, the airport recorded an average on-time performance of airlines of 83.36% with a high of 88.35% recorded on December 31
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) set a passenger and flight record in 2024, according to its private operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC).
NAIA handled 50.1 million passengers, up 5.08% from its previous high in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 10.43% higher than in 2023, NNIC said in a statement.
The country’s main gateway also recorded 293,488 flights last year, an 8.08% increase compared to 2019 and a 4.83% rise from 2023. NNIC said these figures exclude general aviation but shows the steady growth in demand for travel.
“More Filipinos are flying, and more visitors are coming to the Philippines,” said NNIC president Ramon Ang.
“This growth is a clear sign that confidence in air travel has returned, and it motivates us to work even harder. Our goal is to ensure that NAIA provides a better experience for everyone — passengers, airlines, and partners alike,” Ang added.
NNIC said the higher passenger and flight numbers highlight the country’s recovery as a travel destination and its growing role in tourism and trade in the region. NNIC said since it assumed operations of NAIA in September 2024, the airport has steadily managed increasing passenger volumes while introducing operational improvements.
READ: NAIA turned over to private operator
NNIC is the special purpose company created by the SMC SAP & Company Consortium, which won the bidding for the 15-year concession of the NAIA rehabilitation project.
During the peak holiday travel period from December 30 to January 1, the airport recorded an average on-time performance (OTP) of airlines of 83.36% with a high of 88.35% recorded on December 31, the highest OTP at NAIA since NNIC began managing the airport.
NNIC said its focus for 2025 will be on further improving infrastructure and streamlining operations to keep up with rising passenger demand. The goal is to transform NAIA into a modern, efficient airport that can support the country’s goals for tourism and economic growth.
The 15-year contract involves the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of NAIA to address long standing capacity issues.
Once the NAIA transformation is complete, the airport’s capacity will increase from 35 million passengers to 62 million passengers and an uptick in air traffic movement from 40 movements per hour to 48.
The government is also expected to rake in P900 billion of revenues for the duration of the concession agreement. This is inclusive of the concessionaire’s P30 billion upfront payment, fixed annuity payment of P2 billion annually, and 82.16% government share.
