NAIA ranks 81st among world’s busiest airports

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has made it to the top 100 airports in the whole world in terms of passengers for the second straight year despite security concerns and global economic difficulties encountered by the traveling public.

NAIA general manager Edgardo Manda said the 2001 survey by the Airports Council International (ACI) ranked the NAIA as 81st among the top 100 air terminals all over the world.

The results of the survey were published in the June 2002 issue of the globally circulated Airline Business Magazine. The NAIA was at the 78th slot for the year 2000.

Manda said the total number for passengers in 2001 still reached 12,619,000 which was only 140,000 less than the year 2000 total of 12,759,000.

He said the 1.1-percent decrease in the number of passengers was well within the 3.6-percent average reduction in travelers experienced by the top 100 airports.

ACI noted that the NAIA posted an average frequency of 2,243 flights a week or a very manageable 4.3-percent drop taking into consideration the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York which triggered a global slowdown in air travel.

An average of 177 seats per flight was recorded for just a 0.4-percent decline, giving the NAIA a weekly average of 388,000 slots for a manageable 4.6-decrease from the year 2000 total.

Manda attributed the sustained world-class performance of the NAIA to the continued all-out support by President Arroyo to the airport and the harmonious working relations among the airport’s officers and staff.

Manda also cited the collaboration among government agencies operating in the terminal like the Bureau of Customs, the Bureau of Immigration and the Aviation Security Group.

He also said apart from increased police visibility, more complaints and action program have been added for faster and effective response to passengers’ lament.

"Complainants can even come to me directly if they feel their grievances are not being properly and immediately addressed," Manda added.