Air passenger volume in the country surged by 78 percent in the first half of 2023 versus last year, as international passenger traffic significantly improved with the continued recovery of travel.
The latest Civil Aeronautics Board data showed that total air passenger traffic reached 23.5 million in the first semester, from 13.2 million passengers carried in the same period last year.
Domestic air passenger volume surged by 51 percent to 14.6 million, from 9.69 million passengers recorded in the same period last year.
International air passenger traffic rose by 156 percent to 8.96 million, compared to 3.49 million passengers carried in the same period last year, as travel restrictions are lifted.
Cebu Pacific and its unit Cebgo still lead in the domestic market for the first semester with a combined passenger volume of 7.6 million, while flag carrier Philippine Airlines remains the leader in the international market with 2.7 million passengers carried during the period.
The passenger traffic six months into the year showed significant improvement in the last three years, but it is still 41 percent lower than the pre-pandemic level in 2019 with a total of 30.5 million passengers.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is ramping up the bidding for the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of the country’s premier gateway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and other regional airports to address the surge in passenger volume.
Jaime Bautista, DOTr secretary, earlier said NAIA is projected to handle 50 million passengers, which is beyond its ideal capacity of 32 million.
Last month, DOTr opened the bidding for the P170.6-billion project for the rehabilitation and operation of NAIA which is slated to be awarded to the winning bidder by year-end.
Meantime, construction of the passenger terminal and runway facility of San Miguel Corp.’s New Manila International Airport in Bulacan is expected to start by the second quarter of 2024.
“Land development is more than three-fourths complete. We expect structures to rise starting the second quarter of 2024. This airport is costing San Miguel P735 billion to build.
It will decongest NAIA and complement operations of Clark International Airport,” Bautista said recently.
At present, the Philippines has a total of 90 airports. Only half or 45 have commercial operations. Nine are international gateways while 25 are night-rated.
