Tacloban City (October 30) -- The number of airline passengers in the three airports in Region 8 totaled 112,464 or 11.1 percent higher compared to last year. This was revealed by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 8 as it presented the Quarterly Regional Situationer for the second quarter of 2006.

The increase in the number of passengers was observed in Tacloban and Catarman, Northern Samar airports. The DZR Airport in Tacloban City recorded a total of 103,557 passengers for the period covering April to June. This is higher by 13.6 percent compared to the number of passengers over the same period last year.

NEDA 8 said that this can be attributed to the change to a bigger aircraft by the Cebu Pacific Airlines, from DC-9 to Airbus 319 and 320, which could accommodate more passengers.

The Catarman Airport also experienced a big increase in the number of passengers, from 2,028 passengers in the second quarter of 2005 to 4,972 passenger in the same period of this current year. This means a total growth of 45.2 percent.

There is a noticeable slight decline by 2.1 percent, in the passenger volume in Calbayog Airport during this year's second quarter compared to that of last year. The volume of passengers at the Calbayog Airport decreased to 3,935 passengers from a total of 4,021 passengers recorded last year.

NEDA 8 did not offer any explanation as to the decrease in the number of passengers in the Calbayog Airport.

NEDA 8 moreover noted that the operations of the Asian Pacific Company at Ormoc City has been temporarily suspended and at present, only the General Aviation chartered flights operate in the said airport.