Proposed P7.2-B budget terminal in Clark to be presented to NEDA

MANILA, Philippines - The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) is set to present to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) the master plan for the aerotropolis and the feasibility study for the proposed P7.2-billion low cost carrier (LCC) terminal in Pampanga.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the master plan and feasibility study prepared by Aeroports de Paris (ADP) of France would be presented to the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee next month.

“ADP presented its concept design for a new LCC terminal to DOTC and CIAC officials last month, and CIAC is now scheduled to present this proposal to the NEDA-ICC in August,” Abaya said.

According to Abaya, the P417-million improvement project of the existing passenger terminal building at the Clark International Airport was completed last May raising the annual passenger capacity from 2.5 million to four million.

The project increased the size of the building to 19,799 square meters from 11,439 square meters.

Likewise, the number of check-in counters was also increased to 34 from 13 with the addition of 12 departure counters and five arrival counters to accommodate more passengers and ease queuing.

The modernized portion of the terminal itself has eight entry points and three customs stations allowing the international airport to accommodate more international flights from Qatar Airways and Emirates.

On the other hand, Abaya said the proposed new budget terminal would further boost the capacity of the international airport to between eight and 16 million passengers per year from the current four million.

“We are hoping for a smooth process in order for the project to be completed within 2016,” he said.

Abaya said the government is pouring investments into the Clark aerotropolis’ development, to prepare it as an international hub alongside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Sangley airport for decades to come.

“We see Clark International Airport as a premier gateway alongside NAIA and Sangley, especially in view of its rapid growth over the past few years, as well as government’s development plans for the entire economic zone and the rest of the region. This is the direction we are taking for presentation to the President, for his consideration,” he said.