The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reassured the public on Tuesday, November 14, that it is ready for the influx of passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for the upcoming holiday season.
“Ready na ready [ang transportation] lalo na ang airport para sa Christmas Season," Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said this during a launch of an internet brand at NAIA Terminal 3.
According to Bautista, DOTr's preparation from the previous Undas and barangay elections will be the barometer for the upcoming Christmas season, as it anticipates at least 138,000 passengers per day.
“Noong Undas, elections na yan, we really prepared for a bigger number of passengers. Ngayon nasa 130,000 passengers tayo per day—increase ng another 8,000 [passengers] dito sa NAIA,” the transport chief said.
“Marami na yung 140,000 passengers per day,” he added.
Bautista noted that the main gateway's on-time performance (OTP) during Undas was an efficient 84%, and an even greater efficiency rating was anticipated for the holidays.
Meanwhile, the transport chief encouraged travelers to arrive at least three hours before departure to avoid booking flights at the last minute.
"'Yung ba-biyahe sa holiday, see to it na nakapag-book na kayo ng flights. Mahirap 'yung last-minute booking. Kapag doon sa araw ng biyahe n'yo, siguraduhin natin na, dapat mas maaga tayo ng isang oras doon sa normal na biyahe natin. Kung dati kailangan 2 hours before flight, ngayon, gawin nating 3 hours,” he noted.
