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Clark International Airport’s new passenger terminal building is being hailed by government officials as critical to the rebound of the Philippines’ air travel and tourism industries
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It is also a driver in the country’s thrust to become a logistics center of Asia
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Clark’s Terminal 2 is also expected to hasten the recovery of local businesses and tourism
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., leading the opening rites for the new facility, says it sends a “very strong signal that yes, indeed, we are open for business”
Clark International Airport’s new passenger terminal building is part of the country’s thrust to become a logistics center and is critical to the rebound of the air travel and tourism industries, government officials said at the facility’s grand opening on September 28.
The Clark Terminal 2 opening was attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who said the facility is “another building block in the country’s thrust to become a logistics center of Asia.”
He said the opening of the terminal, which has a capacity of 8 million passengers annually, sends a “very strong signal that yes, indeed, we are open for business.”
The facility will “dramatically enhance passenger experience”, providing riding comfort and convenience to passengers, and will stimulate passenger traffic.
The country needs similar facilities to boost the tourism industry, Marcos said, noting that the government plans to improve the airports in Manila and its surrounding areas. While construction works in Manila, Bulacan, and Cavite airports are ongoing, he said, regional airports must be opened.
Marcos had said earlier that, to boost the tourism industry, his administration plans to upgrade existing airports and create more international gateways to help decongest the bottleneck at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
At the grand opening, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said Clark Terminal 2 “opens a wave of opportunities for Central and Northern Luzon” and is expected to facilitate the recovery of local businesses and tourism.
Before the event, the terminal was already officially opened and started operating on May 2 after all departing and arriving flights were transferred to the new hub.
Envisioned to be Asia’s next premier gateway, the 110,000 square-meter new Clark terminal has a design capacity of at least 8 million passengers annually, in addition to the 4.2 million passengers that the existing terminal can handle.
Formally turned over to private operator Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp. in January 2021, Clark’s second terminal is a state-of-the-art international airport facility equipped for contactless baggage handling, passenger check-ins and check-outs, and an ordering system that is aimed at making air travel hassle-free and effortless. It will also have 18 aerobridges when completed.
The new terminal is envisioned to help spur economic progress and development in Central Luzon, and ease congestion at NAIA.
In August 2019, LIPAD was awarded the 25-year concession to operate and maintain Clark Airport.
