By Ma. Cristina Arayata | Philippine News Agency
Airports nationwide are ramping up operations in anticipation of a higher volume of passengers during the Undas holidays.
The country’s main gateway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), around 1.35 million passengers are expected between Oct. 25 and Nov. 3, slightly higher than last year’s 1.3 million.
“We are fully prepared to manage the expected surge. We have deployed additional personnel, strengthened coordination with partner agencies, and activated passenger assistance counters to make travel smoother and safer for everyone,” New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) president Ramon Ang said in a statement on Monday.
To improve safety, Philippine National Police-Special Operations Unit (SOU) teams and K-9 units were deployed across NAIA terminals for monitoring and proactive security patrols.
Oplan Assistance Counters have been set up in key passenger areas to assist travelers with directions, inquiries, and lost-and-found concerns, among others.
Travelers are advised to arrive three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic flights to allow extra time for security screening.
Passengers are also reminded to pack smart, keep valuables safe, and avoid bringing prohibited items.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is expecting 5.8 million passengers across 44 CAAP-operated commercial airports, reflecting a 7 to 10 percent increase from the 4.8 million recorded during the same period last year.
Help desks have been set up and airports placed under heightened alert to assist passengers throughout the holiday rush. (PNA)
