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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Clark airport braces for passenger surge as NAIA turboprops transfer

Clark airport braces for passenger surge as NAIA turboprops transfer

Published Feb 7, 2025 02:33 am

Clark International Airport is projecting significant growth in its passenger volume this year, driven by the transfer of turboprop operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD), the airport operator, anticipates passenger figures to reach between 3.3 million and 3.4 million this year—a huge uptick from last year’s 2.4 million.

LIPAD Chief Executive Officr Noel Manankil told reporters that the airport was initially projected to serve only three million passengers in 2025.

However, he said this has since been recalibrated ahead of airlines’ gradual phaseout from the country’s primary gateway upon orders of the Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC).

“We’re observing certain key triggers in terms of daily passengers, that when we reach a particular volume of traffic, then it tells us what to do in order to further build capacity,” said Manankil.

Earlier, Cebu Pacific Air announced plans that it would move some of its turboprop aircraft operations from NAIA Terminal 2 to Clark International Airport.

The budget carrier said it will scale up operations in its Clark hub, with new direct flights to key destinations commencing on March 30.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines, according to Manankil, is set to transfer its turboprop flights in the last quarter of the year.

“We are observing, with the turboprops, if that is sustained. If sa paglatag mo ng turboprops (If you deploy the turboprops) starting March 30, we will observe if it can persist a threshold of 10,000 [passengers],” the official said.

During the holiday season, Clark International Airport recorded an average of 10,000 to 12,000 passengers per day.

Manankil said this has since dipped to 9,500, just months away from the summer season which typically coincides with a surge in domestic and international travel.

With the addition of turboprop operations, he said this will add 700 daily passengers to the tally.

Weekly flight movements will likewise increase with the new flights, from the current 237 to 269 by March 30.

As passenger numbers are expected to rise, Manankil said the possibility of expanding the capacity of the airport is also being considered.

Clark International Airport can accommodate up to four million passengers annually, with the potential to reach eight million through additional fit-outs.

Manankil said LIPAD has engaged with bus operators about enhancing point-to-point bus services from Manila to Clark in Pampanga.

The company is also in talks with tour operators and aggregators about launching packaged private transfers, which are popular in airports abroad, to further improve accessibility to the airport.

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Clark International Airport (CIA) LIPAD
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