Philippines: NAIA domestic passengers rise to 3.17 M in Q1

Domestic passenger traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) surged to 3.17m in the first three months of the year as travel restrictions were dialed back, according to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). Domestic passenger traffic — arrivals as well as departures — were significantly higher than the year-earlier total of more than one million passengers, according to an operations report posted on MIAA’s website. Domestic traffic was still running well behind the total of 4.48m posted in Q1 2020, which included the two months before the declaration of the state of emergency. International passenger traffic at NAIA increased to 1.03m in Q1 2022 from 503,331 a year earlier. In the first three months of 2020, international passengers at NAIA were at 4.35m. Fully vaccinated foreign nationals from 157 countries, who enjoy visa-free entry, were once again admitted starting Feb. 10, as coronavirus cases in the Philippines continued to decline, leading the government to ease travel restrictions in a bid to stimulate the economy. The Tourism department in March reported 47,000 visitor arrivals since the reopening of the borders.<br/>