NEW NAIA INFRA CORP. (NNIC), the operator of the country’s most important gateway, is seeing sustained growth in international flights following the addition of a direct flight to Da Nang, Vietnam.
“We’re scoring quick wins where we will by improving systems, facilities, and passenger flow. The outcomes: we at the moment are in a position to accommodate more flights and reduce congestion on the terminals,” NNIC President Ramon S. Ang said in a media release on Tuesday.
This got here after flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) launched its nonstop Da Nang–Manila service on July 1.
PAL will operate the Manila–Da Nang route thrice weekly — on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Da Nang is PAL’s third major expansion in Vietnam this yr, following the launch of Manila–Hanoi flights and the planned debut of the Ho Chi Minh City route on May 2.
Several foreign carriers have also begun operating direct flights to Manila, including Air France, Air Canada, and VietJet Airlines. By October, Air India is predicted to launch its Delhi–Manila service.
NNIC assumed operations and maintenance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in September last yr.
It plans to extend the airport’s annual passenger capability to 62 million and lift hourly air traffic movements to 48, from the present 40-42.
Passenger volume at NAIA rose by 15.82% to 13.03 million in the primary quarter.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) reported that domestic passenger traffic rose by 8.32% yr on yr to six.9 million within the three months to March, while international passenger volume increased by 4.07% to six.13 million.
Throughout the same period, MIAA recorded 73,098 flights, up by 0.84% from a yr earlier.
MIAA said it expects passenger volume on the most important gateway to grow by as much as 30% this yr, driven by strong travel demand. — Ashley Erika O. Jose