Philippines: Nearly 1 million passengers expected at airports during Christmas rush

Nearly one million passengers are expected to travel through Philippine airports during the Christmas holiday rush, prompting authorities to place the country’s aviation sector on "heightened alert".

In a statement on Friday (December 19), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) said it anticipates around 960,000 air travellers during the peak season — a seven per cent increase from the 895,000 recorded last year.

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To manage the anticipated rise in passenger traffic and possible congestion, Caap has implemented a heightened alert status across all airports nationwide from December 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026, according to Inquirer.net.

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As part of the measures, help desks have been set up to assist passengers, while additional security staff and medical teams have been placed on standby.

“The safety and convenience of the traveling public remain our top priority. We are ensuring that passengers experience safe, orderly, and efficient airport operations throughout the holiday period,” said Caap Director General Raul Del Rosario.

At Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) reported handling 4.62 million passengers in December 2024, including 2.22 million international travellers and 2.4 million domestic passengers.

Why is Christmas important for Filipinos?

Christmas holds deep cultural and emotional importance for Filipinos, many of whom see the holiday as a time for family reunions. For overseas Filipino workers, the season often becomes a priority for homecoming, with many making special efforts to return home despite rising travel demand and higher costs.

This strong tradition of travelling home for Christmas contributes significantly to the annual surge in passenger traffic at airports across the Philippines.

Elizabeth Gonzales

elizabeth@khaleejtimes.com

Elizabeth Gonzales is a Digital Journalist who loves writing about the expat life — and ways to make the most of it. When she's not looking for new hacks to share with readers, you may find her giving them a real laugh at one of her stand-up comic events.