Air Cargo Dips 1.2% at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Early 2025 — A Closer Look at Trends and Implications

NAIA’s Cargo Traffic Experiences Slight Decline in First Seven Months

The air cargo throughput at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Philippines’ primary aviation hub, saw a modest decline of 1.2% during January to July 2025, settling at 323,074.73 metric tons (mt). This dip primarily stemmed from decreased international freight volumes, reflecting a shift in the cargo landscape.

Breakdown of Cargo Movements: International vs. Domestic

The international cargo segment faced a notable slump, dropping 13.7% to 191,989.38 mt compared to the prior year’s figures. This downturn was especially pronounced between April and July, with outgoing shipments accounting for much of the reduction.

On the flip side, domestic cargo showed robust growth, surging 25.4% to 131,085.35 mt. This rise highlights increased activity within the national market, balancing the international setbacks to some degree.

Flight Operations and Passenger Traffic Edge Up

Even though cargo volumes showed mixed results, the number of flights handled at NAIA during the reviewed period ticked up slightly by 0.6%, marking 172,238 operations compared to 171,185 the year before. This marginal increase encompassed both domestic and international movements:

• Domestic flights increased marginally by 0.14%, reaching 104,254 flights.
• International flights grew 1.4% to 67,984 flights.

Passenger volumes also saw positive momentum, with total travelers rising 5% to 31.024 million. The split was quite balanced: international travelers increased by 5.6%, while domestic passengers were up 4.5%, suggesting a steady recovery or expansion in passenger demand at the airport.

Upcoming Route Expansions and Infrastructure Enhancements

NAIA’s concessionaire, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), has reported an infusion of new and expanded flight services. Notable developments include:

• Philippine Airlines launching a direct service between Manila and Da Nang in Vietnam in July 2025.
• Introduction of new routes by Air France, Air Canada, and Vietjet Airlines earlier this year.
• Anticipated arrivals of Air India with a direct New Delhi flight and United Airlines increasing daily flights to San Francisco.
• New regional services to destinations like Chiang Mai in Thailand, responding to rising traveler demand.

These route expansions fuel expectations for increased air traffic and corresponding freight opportunities in the near future.

NAIA’s Transformation: Aiming to Support Economic and Tourism Growth

Infrastructure upgrades and operational streamlining are currently prioritized as NAIA works toward modernization. This initiative under the 15-year NNIC contract aspires to elevate the airport’s passenger capacity from 35 million to an impressive 62 million annually. Additionally, air traffic movements per hour are set to increase from 40 to 48, enabling smoother handling and potentially boosting both cargo and passenger throughput.

Key Expected Outcomes

• Expanded capacity accommodating rising travel and shipment demands.
• Improved infrastructure delivering efficient processing and logistics operations.
• Enhanced connectivity through additional routes, benefitting tourism and trade alike.
• Support for economic growth as smoother cargo and passenger flows encourage business activities.

Implications for Logistics and Freight Forwarding

The dip in international cargo volumes may ruffle a few feathers in the supply chain, especially for businesses reliant on overseas freight lanes. Yet, the strong growth in domestic shipments suggests a pivot in market dynamics, with local distribution and parcel delivery becoming more prominent.

For logistics providers, this shifts the game a bit—demand for efficient domestic haulage, courier services, and timely distribution is on the rise, while international freight movers may need to adapt to tighter volumes or seek alternative routes and partnerships.

Moreover, as NAIA expands its flight and passenger capacity alongside improvements, the airport’s logistics corridors could soon offer enhanced opportunities, reducing bottlenecks and enabling faster dispatch and transit times. For cargo operators, that’s a golden ticket to improved reliability and customer satisfaction.

Why This Matters for Shippers and Movers

• Planning for shifts: Businesses involved in import, export, and domestic freight need to monitor these volume trends to align their logistics planning efficiently.
• Flexibility in route selection: New regional and international flights could open fresh corridors for shipment forwarding.
• Handling capacity: With improvements ongoing at NAIA, future scalability for bulky cargo and large shipments might improve, crucial for large-scale logistics operations including office or home moves.

Making the Most of Transit Trends with GetTransport.com

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Whether moving parcels across the city or coordinating complex international shipments, GetTransport.com provides a transparent, reliable platform that adapts to changing logistics landscapes, including the shifts we’re seeing at NAIA.

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Looking Ahead: Logistics in the Wake of NAIA’s Cargo Trends

While the dip in NAIA’s international cargo handling might seem like a minor blip on the global logistics radar, it holds significance regionally where supply chains interlock with the airport’s operations. The rise in domestic shipments and passenger traffic signals active economic pulse locally and presents opportunities for freight movers focusing on internal distribution.

As new flights and routes take off, and infrastructure upgrades roll out, NAIA is poised to become a more dynamic hub, probably smoothing out current freight bottlenecks. For companies and individuals managing cargo and freight, keeping an eye on these developments is pivotal for efficient planning.

GetTransport.com stays right there on the pulse—evolving with the logistics market to offer timely, reliable services that match the realities on the ground. For your next cargo transportation, consider the convenience and reliability of GetTransport.com.

Summary: Navigating NAIA’s Shifting Cargo and Passenger Landscape

In the first half of 2025, NAIA experienced a slight overall decline in air cargo volume, mainly due to a slump in international cargo, partially offset by a strong increase in domestic freight. Flight operations and passenger numbers showed modest growth, buoyed by new routes and expanding service offerings. Ongoing infrastructure improvements are set to boost capacity and operational efficiency significantly.

For logistics and freight operations, these trends spotlight the need to adapt—emphasizing agility in handling changing cargo flows, leveraging new flight connections, and capitalizing on airport upgrades. Platforms like GetTransport.com seamlessly integrate into this environment by offering global, affordable, and reliable cargo transport tailored to a broad spectrum of needs, from moving household goods and commercial shipments to bulky freight and vehicle transport.

In a nutshell, NAIA’s evolving freight and passenger dynamics are a microcosm of the broader shifts in aviation logistics—where flexibility, efficiency, and smart planning are king. The right transportation partner, such as GetTransport.com, can make all the difference in navigating these waters smoothly and cost-effectively.