CLARK FREEPORT – Local and foreign airline companies have started to use Clark International Airport (CRK) to boost their strategic expansion.

Mark Williams, chief executive officer of Global Gateway Development Corp. (GGDC), said the simultaneous expansion of airline companies at Clark is a clear indication of robust growth and strong demand in Central and Northern Luzon.

Officials of Clark International Airport Corp. are holding talks with more airlines to connect the premier airport north of Manila to different parts of the country, Asia and even North America.

CIAC President Alexander Cauguiran said the airport operator is currently in talks with air carriers on possible air connection between Clark and North America.

He said CRK has a huge market potential consisting of travelers coming from Northern Luzon, Cagayan Valley Region, Central Luzon, and the northern part of Metro Manila or CAMANAVA area (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela).

Together, these areas have a combined population of 24.2 million.

“Clark ought to be the most logical and practical airport of choice of the people from the morthern and central parts of Luzon,” Cauguiran was quoted as saying.
CIAC’s master development plan includes developing a new passenger terminal with an 8-million-passenger capacity.The Duterte administration plans to construct another terminal by 2019 or before President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office.

Studies point to the strong growth in the number of passengers in Clark, with the increase in flights at CRK.  In its report, CIAC seeks to maximize in the next two to three years the existing terminal with a capacity of 4.2 million passengers annually.

PAL at Clark

The goal of decongesting Metro Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is on track to being achieved with more airlines mounting flights from the Clark International Airport, according to  Philippine Airlines executives.

Clark now hosts international and domestic flights of PAL, including daily flights to Caticlan, Cebu, Davao, and daily international flights to Incheon, South Korea.  The flag carrier is also set to launch its Clark-Palawan routes to Puerto Princesa and Busuanga on March 26.

PAL announced last year it would be shifting some operations to Clark, and  recently,  officials said the move from Metro Manila was a good business decision.

PAL’s senior vice president for operations Ismael Gozon said “there are 24 million Filipinos that can be served here by neighboring provinces in Central and Northern Luzon, and that’s a big catchment basin for everybody.”

PAL is also set to start mounting flights from Clark to Davao and Puerto Prinsesa and Busuanga in Palawan.

AirAsia returns

Philippines AirAsia, the local unit of Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia, is also set to resume flights from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Kalibo, Aklan.

“We are thrilled to provide the much needed connectivity at affordable fares for travellers from Central and Northern Luzon,” Philippines AirAsia CEO Captain Dexter Comendador said.

AirAsia is the first airline to launch commercial flights seven years ago, before transferring its hub to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Cauguiran said Air Asia expressed “intention to come back here. They’re talking long-term. It’s not just Air Asia Philippines that they referred to us; they included Air Asia
Berhad, the Malaysia-based unit that’s bigger.”

More flights also means good business for CKR, which was designed to accommodate 4 million passengers but only sees about a million a year.

More flights to and from Clark will not only decongest Metro Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, but will also help prop up the local economy.

Cauguiran said more flights to Clark will boost economic activities, including transportation, food and other businesses down the line.

Cebu Pacific also has flights to and from Clark.

Airport authorities say less traffic, comfort and a better passenger experience form part of the lure of Clark airport for those from Northern and Central Luzon and even people from Metro Manila.

Clark Gateway City

Williams expressed optimism that as more flights land in CKR, Clark will solidify its position as the next growth area in the country. He said GGDC’s huge investment in
Clark Gateway City is timely for new locators in the Freeport area.

“Clark Gateway City, the 177-hectare development of GGDC is in the midst of riding on the crest of economic progress,” he said.

Williams said the multi-billion project is envisioned to provide support for various industries such as aviation that needs aeroparks and business process outsourcing complete with mix-used infrastructures.