Clark Airport expansion to boost flights, business, tourism
The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) is optimistic that the newly approved expansion project at the Clark International Airport (CRK) will help increase flights, improve business and boost tourism in Central Luzon.
Atty. Emigdio Tanjuatco Jr., CIAC President/CEO, said the new project, costing R15.3 billion, is the new passenger terminal building at the CRK, whose development and expansion have been authorized by the National Economic and Development Authority headed by President Aquino.
Tanjuatco said the R15.3-billion world-class Passenger Terminal for Clark International Airport (CRK) will be bidded out and constructed next year.
The first phase of the project will see the development of a passenger terminal that can accommodate 3 million passengers annually. It is expected to be completed within two years.
The second phase of the project also involves the expansion of the new Passenger Terminal that will further accommodate another 5 million annually. “Overall, the Passenger Terminal will accommodate 8 million passengers annually,” he added,
“The (airport expansion) project will include the installation of equipment, airfield and facilities,’’ said Tanjuatco.
“The realization of development and expansion of the airport will lead to increased passenger flights as well as business and tourism in Central and Northern Luzon. Once this is completed, it can accommodate more than three million passengers a year,’’ he added.
The CRK is poised to become the premier international gateway based in Pampanga, next to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila..
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) had tapped the services of French firm Aeroports de Paris in 2014 to conduct a feasibility study as well as draw up the master plan for the new Passenger Terminal as well as other areas at the 2,367-hectare Civil Aviation Complex.
The current passenger capacity of the existing Passenger Terminal is at 4 million per year being utilized by budget airlines and full service airlines operating 24 hours a day.
The Clark airport is currently hosting a number of air carriers such as Qatar Airways, Asiana Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, CebGo, Tiger Air Singapore, Dragonair, Jin Air, and Air Asia Berhad.