BI: Over 61K travelers arrive in PH amid Christmas rush

More than 61,000 international travelers arrived in the Philippines amid the Christmas rush, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said, exceeding its initial projection of at least 50,000 average passengers.

On December 23, immigration officials said they processed 49,176 international arrivals and 61,784 departures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Nationwide, total international passenger traffic reached 61,658 arrivals and 66,655 departures.

The BI attributed the increase in passenger volume in the expected exodus of travelers due to the Holiday season. However, it said airport operations in the country remain orderly and manageable.

It also said 132 additional immigration officers were deployed nationwide to ensure smooth and efficient operations in all airports nationwide. At least 24 biometric immigration e-gates were also activated at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3 to avoid long queues ahead of the Christmas rush.

Earlier, the BI said it is seeing at least 50,000 daily passenger arrivals and departures respectively at NAIA due to the holidays.

The bureau reminded all international travelers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure to allow sufficient time for airline, security, and immigration procedures. — Sundy Locus/RSJ, GMA Integrated News