THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said all the commercial airports it operates are ready to handle the expected increased volume of air passengers during the Christmas and New Year seasons.
In a statement, the CAAP said its director general, Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo, directed all of the area center managers of the agency to make sure that the passenger terminal buildings (PTB) under their jurisdiction will be able to accommodate the influx of passengers.
The directive encompasses the provision of enough chairs, baggage carts, operational escalators, and clean toilets inside the arrival and pre-departure areas and sufficient lights for parking areas and access roads within the airport, the agency said.
Coordination between the CAAP Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), the PNP Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEGROUP), and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) have also been made to ensure that airport terminals are ready to control meeters and greeters, it added.
Additionally, Malasakit Help Desks are also stationed at the terminals to assist and provide information for passengers, according to CAAP.
“We enjoin our airport managers and staff to be fully prepared to receive and send off passengers and to also be ready in case of flight delays. Let us take care of our passengers. Let us provide a convenient, safe, and secure travel experience this holiday season,” said Tamayo.
CAAP operates and maintains air navigation, other similar facilities, and national airports such as Iloilo International Airport, General Santos International Airport, Davao International Airport, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport, among others.
With the resumption of commercial flights at Loakan (Baguio) Airport and Borongan Airport, the additional international flights to and from South Korea at Kalibo International Airport, and the easing of travel restrictions nationwide, passenger volume is expected to increase even more especially during the holiday season, the agency said.
Before the pandemic, in 2019, CAAP said its operated airports served 29,258,258 passengers with passenger volume reaching 2,537,774 in December.
Meanwhile, from January to November 2022 alone, CAAP-operated airports have already catered to around 18 million passengers. (GMA Integrated News)
