The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is bracing for a major holiday rush, with up to 1.25 million air passengers expected to travel during the upcoming Undas observance. Running across a nine-day stretch from October 27 to November 4, 2026, the projected volume represents a one percent increase over the 1.24 million travelers recorded during the same holiday period last year. Airport officials highlight October 30 as the single busiest date of the travel season, when an estimated 149,000 passengers will pass through the terminals in a single day. The sustained high volume underscores the deep cultural importance of the annual tradition, as hundreds of thousands of Filipinos take to the skies to return to their home provinces or spend time with loved ones across the country and overseas.
To handle the heavy influx of travelers smoothly, airport operator New NAIA Infra Corp. is ramping up operations, deploying extra staff, and bolstering round-the-clock monitoring across all terminals. A centralized 24-hour command center at Terminal 2 is leading real-time operational tracking and swift incident response, bringing together teams from key government agencies including the Department of Transportation, Manila International Airport Authority, Office for Transportation Security, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, and Bureau of Quarantine. Security is being intensified with heightened police patrols, K-9 units, stricter access controls, and standby technical teams to keep screening equipment running without interruption.
Passengers passing through the country’s primary gateway will also experience the benefits of recent facility upgrades completed under the ongoing airport modernization project. Travelers at Terminals 1 and 3 can now use 78 newly installed automated immigration e-gates, which shorten clearance times to about 20 seconds for eligible passengers. The terminals also feature upgraded flight information display screens, improved waiting areas, expanded access paths, and newly opened dining spots and lounges to make waiting times more comfortable during peak hours.
On the ground, traffic marshals and transport providers are coordinating to manage heavy vehicular flow along terminal curbsides and parking zones, while extra inter-terminal shuttles, porters, and baggage carts have been positioned to assist travelers with their luggage. Airside teams are actively managing aircraft parking allocations to accommodate extra flights and minimize ground delays.
Airport authorities encourage all travelers to prepare ahead of time to ensure a hassle-free journey. Domestic passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure, while international travelers should arrive three hours prior. Passengers should double-check their assigned terminal and flight status before leaving home, utilize online check-in whenever possible, and complete the free eTravel registration within 72 hours of departure or arrival for international flights. Travelers are also urged to use only official airport transport services and seek help at the 24/7 public assistance desks stationed in each terminal if needed.
