Clark International Airport recorded a 14 percent increase in passenger volume last year, driven largely by the arrival of more international passengers and the gradual transfer of turboprop operations from Manila.

According to operator Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD), the airport served a total of 2.75 million passengers last year, up from 2.4 million in 2024.

International demand catapulted in the Pampanga-based gateway last year, accounting for more than half, or 62 percent, of the total.

Clark International Airport registered 1.71 million international passengers for 2025, 10 percent higher than 1.56 million in the previous year.

Domestic travel also improved last year, rising 23 percent to 1.04 million passengers from 847,160.

The combined total in available seats reached 3.77 million, up 12 percent from 3.36 million seats in the prior year.

The growth in seat offerings was fueled by a 21 percent increase in domestic capacity and an eight percent rise in international capacity, supported by increased flight frequencies on existing routes.

LIPAD data also showed that system-wide flight movements stood at 22,745 last year, an increase of 18 percent from 19,222 in 2024. 

Broken down, domestic movements climbed to 12,117 while international movements rose to 10,628.

LIPAD President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Noel Manankil said the growth in passenger and flight volumes was also aided by the gradual transfer of turboprop flights throughout last year.

The Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC) ordered in December 2024 that turboprop operations be relocated from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to regional airports.

Turboprops are smaller aircraft that reach island destinations where airports have limited runway space that cannot accommodate larger jets.

Their withdrawal from NAIA means more flights in Clark, given its proximity to Manila and its role as a reliable alternative gateway.

LIPAD previously estimated that its passenger volume for 2025 would reach around 3,000, especially after all turboprop flights were to be relocated by the MSCC-imposed deadline.

However, MSCC opted to delay the completion date of the turboprop transfer from October last year to March of this year, citing the need to mitigate its impact.

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has since said it would relocate its remaining turboprops to Clark by March 29, covering flights operated by its regional unit, Cebgo, and its boutique carrier, AirSwift.

“[This] will further increase connectivity, support continued passenger growth, and make travel more convenient for passengers from Luzon and nearby regions,” said Manankil.

With the addition of more turboprop flights, he said, this makes LIPAD confident that passenger volume and airport operations will continue to expand this year.