New P15.3 Billion Passenger Terminal Planned for Clark Airport
A brand new P15 billion passenger terminal has been approved for Clark International Airport that is expected to increase flights, passenger traffic, and develop a new gateway to the Philippines. The project was approved at a National Economic and Development Authority Board meeting last month.
Image Source: Clark International Airport |
According to Clark Airport CEO Emigdio Tanjuatco, the announcement is a welcome development for the airport. "Approving the passenger terminal project will greatly help attract more airlines to operate at Clark International Airport," said Tanjuatco.
The initial phase of the project will expand the capacity of the airport to accommodate three million passengers each year. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2016 with completion expected within two years.
The passenger terminal will then be expanded further in a second phase to accommodate another five million passengers annually. "Overall, the passenger terminal will accommodate 8 million passengers annually," added Tanjuatco.
News of the P15 billion project comes following the completion of a feasibility study and master plan that was prepared by foreign consultant Aeroports de Paris, which is based in France. The master plan outlines development of the new passenger terminal and other areas in the 2,367 hectare airport complex.
The existing passenger terminal at Clark International Airport is capable of handling up to four million passengers annually. It primarily serves budget carriers including AirAsia, Jin Air, TigerAir, and Cebu Pacific. However, full-service carriers Qatar Airways, Asiana Airlines, and Dragonair also use the airport.
The Clark airfield is also expected to be reoriented to enable dual-approach take off and landing. According to Tanjuatco, the new master plan will address growth at the airport over the next several years with the expansion phases not disrupting airport operations as construction is modular.
“The phase one of the new terminal’s capacity is eight million and capacity until 2019 and then 2019 2022 mage-expand yan para maging 16 million passengers per annum. Pagdating sa Neda Board na modify na naman, so approved project ang unang phase ng terminal is that yung gagawin nating bagong terminal three million ang capacity. Kapag nagawa na natin yun which is 2018 ganyan, we will increase to eight million passengers annually,” Tanjuatco said. “Nakita nga ng DOTC atsaka ng Neda na how will you attract airlines kung low-cost ka. Hindi lilipad yung mga malalaking eroplano dito. We already have an existing terminal e and we can dedicate this muna sa low-cost carriers.”
He added that the new master development plan envisions the existing passenger terminal to be used by private jets. “Meron tayong existing [customs, immigration, and quarantine] facilities dito e. Hindi na natin kailangan ayusin pa o gibain. Yung trend worldwide, nakikita ng mga negosyante na mas mabilis at safe ang private jets. So gagawin natin ito parang VIP para sa mga businessmen,” Tanjuatco added.
But analysts are not all convinced that Clark International Airport will emerge as another gateway to the Philippines or as a Manila-alternative airport. With Emirates and AirAsia Philippines failing to make flights viable from Clark, there are doubts that the airport will be able to achieve its growth expectations, particularly with the absence of a rapid transit link connecting the airport to Metro Manila. However, a Japanese firm is currently seeking a local partner to construct a new rapid rail link to connect Clark Green City to the Luzon Rail System.
Does this mean Grandma and Grandpa can walk with me inside when I check in? Will they be able to wait for me inside in a proper arrivals lobby with a washroom instead of wait outside in the blazing sun and rain? Will they still be forced to walk a kilometer crossing dangerous roads to the parking lot to use a toilet?
ReplyDeleteLow-cost carriers like Cebu Pacific and Air Asia should "guard" their parking or traffic slots here because an array of Chinese, Korean, Australian and Middle Eastern LCCs are now coming to have their share of the airline business pie. Remember, where the thick population is located or found, the better the chances of making a good business!
ReplyDeleteI am sure, Air Arabia will come and make waves as well. This airline is phenomenal and "junior SQ"....Ahlan Wasahlan!
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