Close to 980,000 airline passengers are expected to travel through airports nationwide this holiday season, higher than last year’s 895,000 recorded during the two-week “Oplan Biyahe Ngayon sa Pasko,” the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio, in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, said the agency regularly observes a 7 to 10-percent annual increase in passenger volume during the yuletide period, prompting the activation of heightened alert status in all 44 CAAP-operated commercial airports.
Under heightened alert, airport personnel are placed on full duty status, with no leave allowed to ensure uninterrupted operations and sufficient manpower on the ground.
Apolonio said passengers can expect enhanced assistance services at airports, including the Malasakit Help Desk, a one-stop table staffed by CAAP personnel, the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Philippine National Police–Aviation Security Unit (PNP-AVSEU), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), and airline partners to quickly address flight-related concerns.
“Just in case na may pangangailangan doon sa issue ng flight, iyong ating mga pasahero ay puwede silang pumunta doon sa isang table na iyon at maa-address iyong kanilang concern; at mayroon din tayong backup na medical team or mga ambulances just in case kailangan (Just in case there are concerns related to their flight, our passengers may go to that table and their issue will be addressed; and we also have a backup medical team or ambulances available if needed),” he added.
CAAP has activated medical teams and deployed additional screening personnel under the OTS for passenger checks.
Apolonio reminded passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure, especially with the expected surge in airport traffic.
He said delays at final screening often occur because of prohibited items found in hand-carried baggage, urging travelers to familiarize themselves with aviation security rules.
While congestion is more common in larger hubs such as NAIA, Cebu-Mactan, and Clark (airports not managed by CAAP under the PPP arrangement), Apolonio said coordination with stakeholders remains continuous to minimize long queues and ease the check-in process, especially for passengers using online check-in and bag-drop services.
In cases of weather disruptions or technical issues, airlines have been issuing early advisories to reduce inconvenience for travelers.
“Airlines now announce cancellations in advance once weather monitoring shows flights may not proceed,” Apolonio said.
The CAAP also highlighted its ongoing full-scale emergency simulation exercises (SIMEX) in major airports, including Davao, Butuan, Pagadian and Zamboanga.
These drills measure the response speed and coordination of fire, medical, and local government units in scenarios such as aircraft fires, runway excursions, and mass casualty events. Smaller airports conduct tabletop exercises when resources for full-scale drills are limited.
“These exercises follow ICAO standards, ensuring that response teams can act within the critical 90-second window needed to safely evacuate passengers in case of an aircraft fire,” Apolonio said.
He added continuous training is provided to airport personnel to strengthen preparedness, especially during high-stress periods like the holidays.
More SIMEX activities are scheduled, prioritizing high-traffic airports such as Iloilo and Bicol.
Apolonio urged passengers to stay updated through airline social media pages and check flight status regularly.
“For a smooth and convenient journey, follow airport procedures and monitor advisories. If flights are cancelled due to bad weather, it’s better to stay home than travel unnecessarily,” he said.PNA
