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Philippines studies Clark as new international gatewayPhilippines studies Clark as new international gateway
Gavin Lipsith
24-Mar-2006
As saturation point nears at Manila's Ninoy Aquino airport, the government is to study shifting the majority of international flights to Clark Diosdado Macapagal airport from 2012
The Philippine government has revealed plans to shift the country's major international gateway from Manila's Ninoy Aquino to Clark Diosdado Macapagal airport. The switch will take effect from 2011 as Ninoy Aquino, situated in the heart of Manila with little room for expansion, reaches saturation point.Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications assistant secretary of planning and project development Roberto Castanares said that the government was conducting a transition study and had already made plans for the expansion of Clark airport, located 25km to the north of Manila. A $46m investment project is planned, including the expansion of the passenger terminal to 5,365sq m (57,728sq ft) and a landside airport plaza with retail facilities, as well as a ground transport centre connecting the airport to major destinations in the country.
Castanares said the government is proposing to begin the transition in 2012, moving major airlines away from the former international gateway. The switch will be completed by 2025. The government will be seeking international investors in the development, and Castanares reiterated the government's stance on the problems with Fraport at Ninoy Aquino terminal three, where the German group was ousted from its management contract after having constructed the terminal. "The contract was declared null and void by the judiciary due to legal infirmities, there was nothing that the executive could do about it," said Castanares.
Passenger traffic to the Philippines is forecast to treble over the next two decades, reaching 28.3m in 2025, said Castanares. At present Ninoy Aquino handles 91% of international traffic into the country.
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