Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has released a statement backing the development of Clark International Airport in Pampanga. The move follows suggestions that the Philippine government favors the development of Ninoy Aquino International Airport over its counterpart.
Emigdio Tanjuatco III, president and CEO of CIAC, said, “The truth is that we fully support the development of Clark Airport. In fact, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) had already infused an initial PHP1.2bn (US$26.7m) for the construction of our new Low Cost Carrier Passenger Terminal Building (LCC PTB). The fact that this project is up for bidding this year is proof that government is serious in developing Clark Airport.”
Tanjuatco further explains that Clark Airport has its own catchment area in the northern regions of Luzon, while the Ninoy Aquino services the south. He claims that the two airports are not competing since their operations and expansion complement each other.
Jun Abaya, secretary for the DOTC, said, “The new LCC PTB is designed to accommodate at least 15 million passengers annually at the price of PHP7.2bn (US$160m). We contracted the services of Aeroports de Paris for the feasibility study not only of the terminal but also other facilities at the aviation complex.”
