The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) will boost aviation-related careers through the development of the civil aviation complex, which would position itself as the country’s future aerospace hub and a key player in the global aerospace industry.
CIAC President Arrey Perez said on Wednesday, May 29, that he has pitched Clark to the top flight and technology industry player during the 9th International Aerospace Innovation Forum in Quebec, Canada.
“Clark in the Philippines is a very viable and attractive hub for foreign investors from the aerospace industry and those who are looking for strategic partners able to address the growing necessity for aviation jobs to meet current demands and future expansions,” he shared.
“We have pitched Clark’s marketability and encouraged global aerospace companies to establish facilities here to serve the Asia region and global market,” Perez added.
The CIAC chief then noted Clark’s possibility of becoming the Philippines’ next main aerospace hub would entail bigger opportunities and empower the next generation of aviation professionals.
He listed down various local advantages, such as the human resource pool with a large population of low-cost qualified English-speaking engineers and skilled workers; extensive experience in the automotive and electronics industry; a stable policy environment for exportations, and; tariff-free access to key markets that have favorable trade deals.
“The development of Clark [as the main aerospace hub and a key player in the global industry] will also boost export revenues, and provide access to state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies,” he added. “This approach will not only improve the local aerospace value chain, but produce skilled pilots, aeronautical engineers, aircraft mechanics, and ground support executives and operators, as well,” he added.
He presented the future of Clark’s aviation complex to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) firms, aerospace manufacturers, fixed-based operators (FBO), business aviation companies, original equipment makers (OEMs), cargo airlines, logistics companies, regional and international airlines, and training organizations.
“The Philippines’ aerospace sector may strategically begin with industry upgrade, starting with reputable and comprehensive pilot training programs, along with skills training in components and assembly manufacturing, and then expanding into production engineering, procurement and distribution,” Perez elaborated to key stakeholders.