THE Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) posted passenger throughput of more than 50 million in 2024, up nearly 11%, powered by the increase in the overall number of flights and the boom in domestic travel.
The Manila International Airport Authority reported that the gateway booked passenger numbers of 50.26 million 2024, 10.9% higher than the 2023 level and 4.9% higher than the 47.90 million posted in the last full pre-pandemic year of 2019.
Domestic passenger traffic was 26.89 million, up 8.1%. International passenger traffic rose 14.4% to 23.37 million.
Aircraft movements — the sum of takeoffs and landings — amounted to 293,427 last year, up 8.3%.
Last year, the San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corp., the new NAIA operator, said it expects to end 2024 with 50 million passengers.
The private operator took over operations at NAIA in September, and announced plans for the expansion of roads and curbside enhancements; terminal upgrades, and terminal reassignments.
It also said that it is planning to build a new terminal which can accommodate 22 million passengers annually. — Ashley Erika O. Jose