Before boarding, ANA Manila Station Manager Takeshi Saito addressed the crowd, expressing gratitude to customers for choosing ANA to fly to Japan and beyond. As the anniversary flight departed, ANA staff gathered at the gate and ramp to wave to passengers and wish them a safe journey.

ANA operates 28 weekly flights between Manila and Tokyo, serving both Narita and Haneda airports. In recent years, the airline has expanded its offerings with domestic connections from Tokyo, allowing Filipino travelers to explore multiple cities in Japan for the same fare, making travel across the ANA network seamless and convenient.

To celebrate this milestone, ANA launched its “Hello Blue Sale”, offering Economy Class roundtrip fares starting at $200 and Business Class fares from $850. The limited-time promotion is available until March 5, 2026. More details can be found on the ANA website.

Takeru Matthew Okamoto, General Manager of ANA Manila, said, “This is just the beginning of many exciting promotions from ANA in 2026. We are thrilled to see Filipino travelers exploring destinations in Japan beyond the usual gateways. We hope that whenever Filipinos think of Japan, they think of ANA.”

The Amadeus-powered eGates—already installed at NAIA Terminal 3 and soon operational in Terminal 1—will be run by the Bureau of Immigration (BI). The system features automated passport scanning and facial-recognition technology designed to expedite immigration checks, reduce queues, and increase overall passenger throughput.

According to NNIC, the first phase of activation will begin in December 2025, with full deployment targeted early next year. The initiative is jointly implemented through NNIC’s infrastructure investments and BI’s operational integration, enabling the eGates to go live in parallel with the broader upgrades across the airport.

Once operational, the eGates will complement the biometric-enabled passenger touchpoints NNIC has been rolling out across check-in, security screening, and boarding—creating a more seamless, end-to-end travel experience.

“Our goal is to make every part of the airport journey more comfortable for passengers,” said NNIC President Kevin Tan. “These eGates will help decongest immigration counters and support the wider improvements we are implementing throughout NAIA.”

NAIA handled more than 50 million passengers last year, exceeding its original design capacity. With travel volumes continuing to rise, the introduction of automated processing systems is seen as crucial in maintaining efficient passenger flow and improving service quality at the country’s main gateway.

This year’s Undas operation runs from October 25 to November 3, 2025, covering one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Around 1.35 million passengers are expected to pass through NAIA during this period, up from 1.3 million last year.

According to NNIC President Ramon S. Ang, the company is fully prepared to manage the expected passenger surge. He said additional personnel have been deployed, coordination with partner agencies has been strengthened, and passenger assistance counters have been activated to make travel smoother and safer for everyone.

To ensure efficiency and security, NNIC is closely coordinating with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Office for Transportation Security (OTS), Philippine National Police–Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG), Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of Customs for adequate manpower and operational support across all terminals. The PNP Special Operations Unit (SOU) and K-9 teams are also on full alert to provide proactive patrols and continuous monitoring throughout NAIA’s terminals.

Passenger Assistance Counters have been set up in key areas to assist travelers with directions, inquiries, and lost-and-found concerns.

Now on its second Undas under private management, NAIA continues to benefit from modernization and operational upgrades that have significantly improved service levels and passenger experience. Since NNIC took over in September 2024, on-time performance (OTP) has reached a record 92.29 percent, the highest single-day rate in the airport’s history. The airport handled 51.7 million passengers in its first year under NNIC, a 4 percent increase compared to the previous year.

NNIC has remitted ₱57 billion to the government, including an upfront payment of ₱30 billion, under an 82.16 percent revenue-sharing agreement—the highest among all public-private partnership projects in the country. To date, ₱3.25 billion has already been invested in upgrades as part of a ₱72-billion, five-year capital improvement program.

Passengers are now experiencing tangible improvements at NAIA, including more reliable air-conditioning and power systems, flood-free access roads after extensive waterway cleanups, and faster, more stable Wi-Fi. Terminal access has also become easier and more organized with wider curbsides, smoother roadways, a centralized TNVS hub, and an automated parking system.

Meanwhile, the ongoing modernization program is also creating more jobs and business opportunities. New food halls and restaurants—nine of 22 already open at Terminal 3—are enhancing the travel experience for passengers, with similar developments underway at Terminals 1 and 2.

Under its infrastructure and technology upgrades, NNIC has completed the installation of 95 percent of 586 new Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS) as part of NAIA’s new “quiet terminal” concept, which minimizes background noise and provides real-time flight information through digital screens. In addition, 517 biometric-enabled passenger processing units have been deployed across terminals to speed up check-in, boarding, and security screening. The installation of 78 Immigration e-gates and 113 verification desks is also underway, with the first phase targeted for completion by December 2025.

NNIC has also opened a 6,000-square-meter Mezzanine Food Hall and several new passenger lounges, giving travelers more dining options and comfortable spaces to relax before their flights.

As part of its passenger advisory for Undas, NNIC reminds travelers to arrive at least three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic flights to allow ample time for check-in and security screening. Passengers are also encouraged to pack smart, secure their valuables, and avoid bringing prohibited items for a safe and hassle-free journey.