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People’s Air Cargo & Warehousing Co. opened additional space capable of handling about 24.24 million kilograms monthly to meet rising airfreight demand, even as it reported improved operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport
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The company said it has substantially reduced the approximately 755 unit load devices that were temporarily stored in remote staging areas at NAIA during the height of the last month to just 40 as of July 21
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Paircargo said it continues to release an average of 400 metric tonnes of air cargo every day
People’s Air Cargo & Warehousing Co., Inc. (Paircargo) has opened additional space capable of handling about 24.24 million kilograms of cargo monthly to meet rising airfreight demand, even as it reported improved operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The company in a statement said it has cut the number of unit load devices temporarily stored in remote staging areas during last month’s congestion from roughly 755 to just 40 as of July 21, achieved through sustained cargo release and better warehouse management.
Paircargo said this is “an indication that a significant volume of backlogged cargo has already been cleared.”
Company officials earlier told PortCalls that all backlog cargoes that arrived in May have already been “accounted for, with some releases still pending.”
The company added that work continues on the June backlog, but overall releases have accelerated.
READ: Cargo releasing at NAIA improves; backlog set for clearance by end-July
The congestion at Paircargo’s facility traces back to the collapse in warehouse capacity following the closure of Philippine Skylanders International’s (PSI) facility after NAIA operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) reclaimed its premises for redevelopment following its 2024 takeover of the airport. With PSI gone — and Miascor having been shuttered since 2018 — Paircargo and Cargohaus are now the only customs bonded warehouses serving multiple carriers at NAIA. Paircargo, which handles roughly 70% of NAIA’s air cargo by virtue of its direct ramp access, has borne the brunt of the resulting volume surge.
Paircargo said together with the Bureau of Customs-NAIA (BOC-NAIA), they have immediately established remedial measures such as 24-hour releasing, including weekends, and the acquisition of additional land and warehouse facilities that resulted in increased capacity.
Paircargo also added three temporary staging areas approximately two weeks ago and has been using the parking slots at the Duty Free area as a processing site.
Prior to the peak of the congestion, Paircargo said it consistently achieved near-complete cargo movement within its main facility, recording 99% cargo movement from receiving to release in May 2026, and 96% in June 2026.
However, following the closure of the PSI facility – which shifted a substantial volume of cargo to Paircargo – the company experienced an unprecedented increase in cargo throughput. As of July 19, 2026, cargo releases were recorded at 64%, reflecting the operational impact of handling significantly higher cargo volumes while continuing to process incoming shipments.
Changing conditions
Paircargo said its quarterly performance “further illustrates the effects of the industry’s changing operating environment.”
During the first quarter of 2026, Paircargo achieved an average cargo release rate of 99%. Following the closure of the PSI facility and the resulting influx of shipments, the average cargo release rate during the second quarter adjusted to 81%, “underscoring the operational challenges brought about by the redistribution of cargo across NAIA.”
Even amid these conditions, Paircargo said it continues to release an average of 400 metric tonnes (400,000 kg) of air cargo every day, “ensuring that thousands of import and export shipments continue to move through the country’s busiest international gateway.”
Recognizing that infrastructure expansion was critical to providing a sustainable solution, Paircargo responded by commissioning a satellite warehouse approximately the same size as the former NAIA International Cargo Terminal, significantly increasing its cargo handling and storage capacity.
The new facility is capable of accommodating an estimated 24.24 million kg of cargo per month, providing much-needed relief to its existing warehouses and accelerating cargo movement.
Paircargo earlier said it contracted the warehouse at the Duty Free area, which was approved by BOC for import cargo storage and releasing activities. The company said it is just waiting for clearance to finally use the warehouse, which will provide more space to process cargoes.
READ: After a decade of delays, Paircargo pushes to build new NAIA cargo terminal
Paircargo said its initiatives have been complemented by the strong support and close collaboration of the Bureau of Customs. Working hand in hand with Paircargo, BOC-NAIA has extended its operating hours from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week, allowing customs processing to keep pace with the increased volume of cargo releases.
Paircargo said it also continues to work closely with airport authorities, airline partners, freight forwarders, logistics providers, and other stakeholders to further streamline cargo handling procedures and identify additional measures that will improve cargo flow across the entire NAIA logistics ecosystem.
“The recent operational challenges have required immediate action and long-term planning,” Paircargo said.
“Our investments in additional cargo infrastructure, together with continuous process improvements and close coordination with industry stakeholders, demonstrate our commitment to ensuring the uninterrupted movement of cargo and supporting the country’s growing trade requirements,” the company added.
While cargo volumes remain elevated, Paircargo said it is confident that the additional warehouse capacity, combined with ongoing operational improvements, will continue to accelerate cargo releases and further reduce congestion in the coming weeks.
Paircargo said it remains committed to investing in infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency, and providing reliable cargo handling services that support Philippine commerce and strengthen the resilience of the nation’s logistics supply chain.
In a separate interview earlier with PortCalls, BOC-NAIA District Collector Maria Yasmin Mapa confirmed that the situation is under control and that the target is to clear all backlog by the end of July, taking advantage of the traditionally slower “ghost month” of August to normalize release flows before volumes rise again during the peak “ber” months.
READ: BOC-NAIA extends work hours to address shipment delays at Paircargo
BOC recently said it formed a dedicated technical working group and task force to tackle the cargo congestion that has been gripping Manila’s major seaports and NAIA.— Roumina Pablo
READ: Manila’s Cargo Crisis (Part 1): When Sea and Air Feel the Squeeze
Manila’s Cargo Crisis (Part 2): Capacity Crunch at the Airport
