CAAP gearing up for Holy Week travel rush

File photo taken in 2022 shows arriving passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. (INQUIRER / SAMUEL YAP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is preparing for the expected surge of air travel passengers during the Holy Week.

In the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing on Monday, CAAP Spokesperson Eric Apolonio said that the CAAP is working on its annual “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos Semana Santa” this year.

“Well, taun-taon po naman mayroon tayong tinatawag na Oplan Biyahe Ayos Semana Santa dito sa 2024 po. Ganoon din po ang mangyayari lahat noong ating mga CAAP operated 44 commercial airports ay magkakaroon po ng paghahanda,” he said.

(Well, every year, we have our Oplan Biyaheng Ayos Semana Santa. This 2024, that’s what will happen as well. Preparations will be carried out in all our 44 operated commercial airports.

Apolonio added that airport and airline employees would also work to address the travel surge during the holiday with the help of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group and the Department of Transportation-Office of Transportation Security.

CAAP has also implemented a “no leave policy” for its employees during Holy Week to maximize manpower

The agency is expecting a 7 to 10 percent increase in the number of passengers during the Holy Week.

“Historically po, tumataas talaga ‘yan ng mga 7 to 10 percent talaga ‘yung passengers tuwing darating ‘tong ganitong okasyon,” Apolonoo added.

(Historically, the number of passengers rises by 7 to 10 percent every time there are occasions like this.)

CAAP is also looking at increasing aircraft movement and flight options at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, according to Apolonio.  (Barbara Gutierrez, INQUIRER.net intern)