CAAP expects over 2M passengers in April amid Holy Week break

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is expecting over two million passengers to flock to the airports next month amid the Holy Week break.

In an advisory, the CAAP said it will be on heightened alert from April 2 to April 10 in accordance with the directive of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista's “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2023.”

The agency said that its airports catered to 231,479 passengers in April 2021, while in April 2022 a total of 1,715,720 passengers were served by CAAP airports.

“This year, the Authority is expecting the travel surge to reach over two million travelers,” it said.

To ensure safe, secure, reliable, and convenient air travel for passengers, airport safety and security measures are in place.

With the expected influx of passengers, CAAP said all its 12 area managers handling all its operated airports with commercial flights nationwide shall ensure the observance of maximum deployment of service and security personnel.

“Therefore, a ‘no leave’ policy will be implemented during the entire duration of Oplan Biyaheng Ayos,” it said.

The agency operates and maintains air navigation, other similar facilities, and national airports such as Iloilo International Airport, General Santos International Airport, Davao International Airport, Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Zamboanga International Airport, Bicol International Airport, Kalibo International Airport, Laoag International Airport, and Puerto Princesa International Airport.

CAAP said it is coordinating with local authorities including PNP-Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU), Office of Transportation Security (OTS), Department of Tourism (DOT), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), and airlines for efficient processing of passengers, especially at the check-in counters.

The agency said it has requested for the additional deployment of personnel from airline stakeholders in order to accommodate the increase in travelers.

Malasakit Help Desks and hotlines manned by duty officers are also set-up to accommodate passenger concerns, it said.

CAAP also reminded all passengers to comply with minimum health protocols within enclosed areas of the airport.

“CAAP has projected that passenger air traffic recovery in the Philippines in the coming years would increase between 7-10% annually as travel restrictions continue to ease,” it said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News