The increase in passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) can be attributed to the robust economy and revenge travel, the head of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said over the weekend.
Passenger volume at the country’s main gateway has increased by 13 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023, or 25.11 million compared to 22.2 million.
“The economy has become more robust and people really wanted to travel post-pandemic,” MIAA General Manager Eric Ines told the Philippine News Agency.
The rise in fuel surcharge or the extra fee airlines may collect in addition to the base fare failed to deter travelers, Ines said.
Fuel surcharge reached Level 6 from March to June. This pushed the surcharge for domestic flights from PHP185 to PHP665, and from PHP610.37 to PHP4,538.4 for international flights, depending on the distance.
“It helped that airlines had many promos during the first half of the year,” he added.
It was only during the latter part of 2023 that travel peaked as most countries have eased restrictions, Ines said.
“People were quarantined for two years. Really, I couldn’t think of other reasons for the increase in passenger volume other than people’s desire to go out and because the economy really grew,” Ines said.
July had a daily average of 153,000 passengers and NAIA catered to 828 flights last Aug. 8, he said.
Be more responsible to passengers
Ines, meanwhile, urged airlines to be more responsible to their passengers and to observe the Passenger Bill of Rights.
Citing several staff reports, Ines said airlines keep cancelling their flights due to mechanical issues, unscheduled maintenance, among others.
He also shared to the PNA a report of passenger’s complaint that a flight was delayed but the airline did not provide food.
“They need to (shape up) and be more responsible to their passengers. Observe the Passenger Bill of Rights,” he said.
He added that flights must be on-time so the other flights would not get affected or delayed. (PNA)
