Low-cost carrier Air Asia Philippines is set to resume flight operations at Clark International Airport (CRK), announced the state-run Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC).
Air Asia will launch thrice-a-week Clark-Kalibo flights on March 27 and four Clark-Davao flights a week on April 22, two routes that are expected to further boost CRK’s passenger traffic.
“CIAC’s efforts to attract more airlines have been rewarded and we are glad that Air Asia has finally agreed to resume flights this year,” CIAC president and chief executive officer Alexander Cauguiran said during the second leg of the CRK Roadshow in Dagupan City on February 24.
“(Transportation) Secretary Art Tugade’s marching order is for us to entice airlines and to ensure first-rate operations of Clark airport,” Cauguiran added.
Air Asia earlier committed to connect domestic cities to the northern and Central Luzon regions and to select tourist destinations in the country.
The resumption of Air Asia’s flights at CRK is also seen to strengthen domestic connectivity and the airport’s status as an international and domestic hub. Air Asia suspended its operations at CRK in 2013, transferring its flight operations to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“The target market (of passengers) from Central and Northern Luzon is ripe and we expect that passenger volume will grow in the years to come as we continue to promote CRK as the next choice gateway of our country,” Cauguiran noted.
Philippine Airlines has already established a strong presence at CRK with domestic flights to Caticlan, Cebu, and Davao, and with international flights via Incheon in South Korea. The flag carrier is set to launch its Palawan route via Puerto Princesa and its Busuanga domestic flights on March 26. Cebu Pacific also supports the utilization of CRK with more domestic flight frequencies.
CRK is also host to other airlines such as Emirates Airlines via Dubai; Qatar Airways via Doha; Asiana Airlines via Incheon; Jin Air via Incheon and Busan, Macau, and Singapore, and via domestic flights to Cebu; Cathay Dragon via Hong Kong; and Tiger Air via Singapore.
