Manila's NAIA Shatters Record with 52 Million Passengers; What's Next?

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) achieved its highest-ever annual passenger volume in 2025. The Manila gateway recorded 52.02 million passengers, according to the airport operator. This figure surpasses the previous record of 50.1 million set in 2024. The milestone signals strong and sustained Philippine air travel demand.

New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) manages the airport operations. NNIC attributed the record traffic to robust market recovery and network expansion. December 2025 was the busiest month in NAIA history. The airport handled 4.86 million guests during the holiday travel rush.

Infrastructure and Operational Upgrades

NNIC, led by San Miguel Corp., reported resilient operations even during peak travel periods. This stability is backed by ongoing service and facility upgrades. The NAIA rehabilitation P170.6-billion project aims to boost capacity. The goal is to increase the annual capacity from 35 million to at least 62 million passengers.

NNIC noted that managing high passenger volume requires both infrastructure and close coordination. Recent improvements include new biometric immigration e-gates. These gates are designed to speed up passenger movement and reduce bottlenecks. The airport's performance is critical for the national economy. Aviation stakeholders monitor such developments closely for commercial aviation news.

Airline and Fleet Expansion

The record passenger numbers reflect significant airline activity at NAIA. Local carriers, including Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific, added more aircraft to their fleets. This allowed for increased flight frequencies.

International connectivity also expanded in 2025. The airport saw the entry of new flag carriers, including Air Canada and Air India. Air Canada launched its new non-stop Vancouver-Manila service in April 2025. Air India flights to Manila were expected to begin in the latter part of the year. Such new routes expand options for both inbound and outbound passengers.

Philippine Airlines' Widebody Investment

Philippine Airlines Airbus A350-1000 delivery marked a major milestone. Before 2025 ended, PAL took delivery of its first A350-1000. This made PAL the first in Southeast Asia to operate the type. The new widebody aircraft is primarily assigned to strengthen PAL's transpacific flight expansion. The A350-1000 offers significant improvements in efficiency and passenger comfort. This fleet modernization is key to PAL's long-haul strategy. The aircraft is manufactured by Airbus.

Industry Impact and Outlook

The surge in traffic highlights NAIA's role as a major regional hub. The record volume shows NAIA is becoming a gateway of choice for business and leisure travelers. The ongoing NAIA rehabilitation is vital to sustain this growth. Failure to expand capacity could strain operations and service quality. The FAA and other global regulators emphasize safe and efficient air traffic management. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) continues to project strong passenger growth across the Asia-Pacific region. This trend is a positive sign for the entire aviation ecosystem, from ground handlers to manufacturers like Boeing.