As the Undas peak travel season approaches, the country’s two budget airlines are gearing up for a significant increase in passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Cebu Pacific anticipates nearly one million passengers during the Undas peak travel period, while AirAsia Philippines expects to welcome over 75,000 guests.
“To accommodate the influx of holiday travelers, we have also increased our manpower at NAIA Terminals 2 and 3. We will always be committed to fulfill our brand promise of reaching guests safely and on time,” AirAsia Philippines communications and public affairs head Steve Dailisan said.
To avoid any last-minute hassles, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines offer tips to help guests maximize their holiday travel:
1. Check the airport terminal assignment of your flight. Before proceeding to the airport, passengers are strongly advised to check the details in their itineraries and boarding passes, especially the flight number and terminal assignment.
2. Be on time at the airport. Given expected heavier road traffic during peak travel season, passengers are advised to allot more time for traffic going to the airport. Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least three hours before domestic flights and four hours before international flights. For travelers heading to Dubai, early check-in is available up to seven hours before departure.
Check-in counters close 45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure for domestic flights and one hour for international flights to ensure there is ample time for all necessary pre-flight procedures. After checking in, passengers are encouraged to immediately go through immigration and final security to avoid delays. Boarding commences 45 minutes before the scheduled departure.
3. Check in online. Long lines may be avoided at the airport by checking in via the official mobile app or website of the airline. Both options are available from 48 hours up to one hour before scheduled time of departure for domestic flights, and up to four hours before scheduled departure for international fliers.
Passengers who checked in online and do not have check-in baggage may enter through NAIA Terminal 3 Gate 1 and go straight to the boarding gates. They only need to show their digital boarding pass to enter.
4. Accomplish eTravel forms. For a smooth experience at the immigration counters, passengers traveling internationally are encouraged to register or update their eTravel forms within 72 hours or three days before departure from and arrival to the Philippines, then save the QR code generated at the end of the form.
For roundtrip international flights, passengers are required to complete the eTravel form twice — once for the departure flight, and again for the arrival flight.
After generating the eTravel QR code, complete the Customs Declaration Form before arrival. eTravel forms can be accomplished by accessing www.etravel.gov.ph.
5. Baggage policy. Passengers may board the flight with one carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin and one personal item like a purse, small backpack, or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front. Both bags must not exceed 7kg in weight. Bags that are not within the allowable size or weight will be intercepted and charged at the boarding gate.
6. Plan your travels ahead. For international travel, consider taking red eye flights which are much cheaper than the usual. Also, adjust your travel schedule. Never fly out on the day of the holiday and return on the same schedule where everyone else is expected to fly back to Manila to avoid heavy traffic brought about by the exodus of travelers to Manila.
