MANILA, Philippines — One of the most popular carriers in Asia Pacific is reinstating its weekly flights between Clark and Singapore, responding to the booming demand for connections in the region.
Jetstar Asia yesterday announced it will resume flying between Clark and Singapore starting June 16, offering the service four times a week.
Jetstar will increase the flight volume for the route to five times a week beginning Oct. 18, expecting that the demand for the connection has picked up pace by then.
Jetstar CEO John Simeone said the airline would send out an Airbus A320 to serve the flights between the Clark International Airport and Changi Airport. Jetstar hopes that with its return to Clark, it can capture the demand for flights to Singapore.
“Our services to Clark are backed by popular demand, not only for holiday makers, but for those wanting to visit family and friends. We are excited to add this popular destination, responding to demand, providing customers with more incredible low-cost travel options and supporting travel and tourism industries in these two critical markets,” Simeone said.
At present, Clark links to Singapore through flights offered by Cebu Pacific (thrice a week) and Scoot (every day).
In the Philippines, Jetstar operates Manila flights to Singapore on a thrice a day schedule.
In a related development in Clark, the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) completed most of its targets for 2023, particularly the development of the Clark Civil Aviation Complex.
In its annual accomplishment report, the CIAC said aircraft movement in Clark totaled 14,867 in 2023, exceeding by 56 percent the objective of 9,552. As businesses in the district recovered, the CIAC said locators generated 3,702 jobs as against the target of 2,000.
With this, CIAC said its revenue amounted to P690.57 million in 2023, surpassing by 34 percent its goal of P514.28 million. The agency also achieved its target of adding 10 locators in Clark.
For the year, the CIAC wants to double the passenger footprint at the Clark International Airport to four million, from roughly two million in 2023, banking on commitments from foreign airlines that they will put up new connections in the gateway.
The CIAC serves as the state-run firm mandated to manage the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, an area covering 2,367 hectares where the alternative airport to Metro Manila is situated.