Airlines, toll road operator roll out travel advisories for Holy Week rush

AIRLINES are boosting their efforts to handle the anticipated surge in air passengers this Holy Week. Philippine Airlines and AirAsia Philippines issued travel reminders, encouraging early check-in, proper document preparation and power bank safety compliance. AirAsia’s #AlwaysREADY campaign includes passenger assistance at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3, along with newly introduced guidelines on power bank usage onboard.

The airline expects 100,000 travelers from April 13 to 20, 2025. AirAsia reminds guests that only power banks not exceeding 100 watt-hours (Wh) are allowed onboard. Devices rated between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval at the check-in counter.



Holy Week travelers are encouraged to plan ahead, stay informed and prioritize safety for a smooth and meaningful holiday break. PAL encouraged its passengers to check in via its website or the PAL mobile app 24 hours to one hour before the flight. It also urged passengers to hit the road earlier to get to the airport on time.

“Expect heavy traffic, especially in the bigger cities like Manila and Cebu, so leave home extra early,” PAL said. For Holy Week, PAL encourage passengers to check in as early as three to four hours before departure for domestic flights at Naia Terminal 2 and as early as four to five hours before departure for international flights at Naia Terminal 1. The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.

(MPTC) is also set to implement its annual “Biyaheng Arangkada Semana Santa” motorist assistance program from April 16 to 21 across its major expressways including the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway. With Holy Week expected to bring a 10 percent spike in traffic volume, MPTC is enhancing on-ground support to ensure motorists have a safe and hassle-free travel experience. More than 2,000 personnel will be deployed beginning April 8 to assist with traffic management and emergency response.

Key services under the program include 24/7 emergency hotline assistance (1-35000), free towing for Class 1 vehicles, on-site medical aid, basic mechanical services at select rest stops, free Wi-Fi and drinking water, health consultations and EV charging stations. RFID installation, reloading and inquiry booths will also be available to support cashless toll transactions. The initiative also promotes road safety by encouraging motorists to inspect their vehicles, stay well-rested, observe speed limits and use the MPT DriveHub app for toll balance checks and updates.

/ KOC.