NAIA domestic passengers eight times more than last year

The number of passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) domestic flights was almost eight times more compared to the volume of travelers in the same period last year, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said.

According to JP Soriano’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday, the passengers' volume was recorded from the domestic flights at the NAIA Terminals 2, 3, and 4.

MIAA management said it is expecting around 15,000 passengers arriving in the terminals on Tuesday.

It can be compared to the same number of passengers during the Holy Week before COVID-19 pandemic, the management said.

“Halos nandoon na tayo (We are almost there) and we are happy with that,” MIAA spokesperson Connie Bungag said.

Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Cyril Peñaroyo from Kuwait expressed excitement going home to her province in Cotabato as she has been away from her family for three years. 

“Sobrang namiss ko di ko maexplain yung pagka-ano ko sa kanila kasi andami rin nangyari sa akin noong nandoon ako sa Kuwait eh,” Peñaroyo said.

(I missed  them so much that I can't explain because a lot also happened to me when I was in Kuwait.)

Meanwhile, several passengers were going to famous tourist destinations to spend their Holy Week.

“Chill lang talaga and syempre sa church pupunta kami, first time namin magspend ng Holy Week sa Boracay kasi,” vlogger Josie Rabiso said.

(It's just chill for us and of course we're going to church, it will be our first time to spend Holy Week in Boracay.)

Some domestic flights of Cebu Pacific going to Caticlan, Masbate, and Bacolod were cancelled due to rough weather conditions.

Airport authorities advised passengers to go in the airport at least three hours before their scheduled flights.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News