Manila: Close to 980,000 airline passengers are expected to travel through airports nationwide this holiday season, surpassing last year's 895,000 recorded during the two-week 'Oplan Biyahe Ngayon sa Pasko,' the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio, in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, stated that the agency regularly observes a 7 to 10-percent annual increase in passenger volume during the yuletide period. This trend has prompted the activation of heightened alert status in all 44 CAAP-operated commercial airports.
Under this heightened alert, airport personnel are placed on full duty status, with no leave allowed, to ensure uninterrupted operations and sufficient manpower on the ground. Passengers can expect enhanced assistance services at airports, including the Malasakit Help Desk. This one-stop table is staffed by CAAP personnel, the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Unit (PNP-AVSEU), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), and airline partners to quickly address flight-related concerns.
Apolonio also mentioned the activation of medical teams and the deployment of additional screening personnel under the OTS for passenger checks. Passengers are reminded to arrive at least three hours before departure due to the expected surge in airport traffic. He noted that delays often occur at final screening because of prohibited items found in hand-carried baggage, urging travelers to familiarize themselves with aviation security rules.
While congestion is more common in larger hubs such as NAIA, Cebu-Mactan, and Clark-airports not managed by CAAP under the PPP arrangement-Apolonio stated that coordination with stakeholders continues to minimize long queues and ease the check-in process, especially for passengers using online check-in and bag-drop services.
In cases of weather disruptions or technical issues, airlines have been issuing early advisories to reduce inconvenience for travelers. 'Airlines now announce cancellations in advance once weather monitoring shows flights may not proceed,' Apolonio said.
CAAP also highlighted its ongoing full-scale emergency simulation exercises (SIMEX) in major airports, including Davao, Butuan, Pagadian, and Zamboanga. These drills measure the response speed and coordination of fire, medical, and local government units in scenarios like aircraft fires, runway excursions, and mass casualty events. Smaller airports conduct tabletop exercises when resources for full-scale drills are limited.
'These exercises follow ICAO standards, ensuring that response teams can act within the critical 90-second window needed to safely evacuate passengers in case of an aircraft fire,' Apolonio explained. Continuous training is provided to airport personnel to strengthen preparedness, especially during high-stress periods like the holidays.
More SIMEX activities are scheduled, prioritizing high-traffic airports such as Iloilo and Bicol. Apolonio urged passengers to stay updated through airline social media pages and check flight status regularly.
'For a smooth and convenient journey, follow airport procedures and monitor advisories. If flights are cancelled due to bad weather, it's better to stay home than travel unnecessarily,' he advised.
