CLARK, PAMPANGA – The operation and maintenance of Clark International Airport (CRK) was formally turned over to Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp on August 16, 2019.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Vivencio Dizon led the turnover ceremony at the site of the new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), with the acceptance made by LIPAD Corp President and CEO Bi Yong Chungunco.
The new terminal, the first hybrid PPP project implemented under the Duterte administration, is 74.58% complete as of July, and will be operational by 2020. By then, airport capacity would have tripled from the current 4.2 million.
LIPAD Corp is a consortium of Filinvest Development Corp, JG Summit Holdings Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc., and Changi Airports Philippines (I) Pt. Ltd.
Aside from handling the O&M of the new terminal and its existing facilities, the consortium is set to develop the commercial assets, operate and maintain project facilities, and fit-out the new terminal.
The concession period for the project will last for 25 years.
“We are truly excited today and for the many years to come for the role that LIPAD Corporation will play in the development of the Clark International Airport as the region’s premier hub. We are equally excited to work on the new Passenger Terminal Building and revolutionize the travel experience of passengers, and visitors through fast, efficient, hassle-free service, and a new commercial experience. Most of all, we look forward to close collaboration with the DOTr and BCDA for the next 25 years,” LIPAD’s Chungunco said.
During the ceremony, she revealed four new international airlines will start flying from CRK in the next few months.
Further, Chungunco announced that 179 former employees of the Clark International Airport Corporation have been absorbed by LIPAD Corp.
Once underutilized, the CRK is now one of the country’s busiest airports. It serviced a total of 2.1 million passengers during the first six months of the year from both international and domestic flights. The figure is a 63% year-on-year increase and so far the highest mid-year number of travelers in the airport’s 24-year history.
Currently, some 11,500 passengers fly via Clark daily, served by a total of 673 weekly flights, with 202 international and 471 domestic flights.
