CLARK FREEPORT — The steady rise in the number of domestic and international travelers in Clark favors the government’s efforts to further develop the aviation complex, an executive of the Clark International Airport Corp. on Tuesday said.
Joshua Bingcang, CIAC president, said the privately-run Clark International Airport has been registering a growth in the number of passengers, flights and destinations which are indications that air travel demand is slowly recovering.
“This is favorable to the CIAC’s business development plans since we are tasked to lure in investments for the aviation complex. Increased passenger volume means more consumer spending and will open up investment opportunities for various commercial and tourism-related ventures,” Bingcang added.
As of May 15, the Clark airport services 17 international flights to over 11 destinations and nine domestic routes with 14 flights.
The Clark airport is maintained and operated by the private consortium Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD) while the CIAC was assigned by the Department of Transportation to exercise regulatory supervision and oversight of activities occurring within the aviation complex.
He added Clark is the viable and alternative gateway for local and foreign investors involved in aviation- or non-aviation related businesses and the government is eager to help fortify LIPAD’s airport operations that will further boost passenger volumes to pre-pandemic levels.
Bingcang noted that while monitoring passenger volume at Clark, the CIAC has kickstarted the process of leasing out some 300 hectares of prime government lands surrounding the airport.
According to the Civil Aeronautics Board, international air travel would likely fully recover and reach pre-pandemic levels by the first quarter of 2024.
CIAC also hosts the mixed-use commercial hub Clark Global City, and other locators engaged in manufacturing, information and technology, renewable energy, and other non-aviation-related industries.
