TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade said Friday, August 9, that the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation (Lipad) is set to take over the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) on August 16.

Tugade made the announcement during the launching of Cebu Pacific's new routes at CIAC.

"By August 16, we will be ready to turn over the O&M [operations and maintenance] of Clark airport to Lipad Corporation," Tugade said in his speech.

Lipad, formerly known as North Luzon Airport Consortium (NLAC), is composed of Changi Airports Philippines Pte. Ltd., Filinvest Development Corporation, JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc.

Earlier, CIAC president and chief executive officer Jaime Alberto Melo said they are closely coordinating with the O&M consortium to ensure a smooth transition. He also said that CIAC and Lipad will develop handover protocols for BCDA’s approval.

CIAC officials representing the offices of airport operations, human resources, marketing and finance, legal, information technology and public relations set up initial turnover plans for the transition to O&M.

On January 22, the Changi-led consortium signed a 25-year concession agreement with the government to develop the commercial assets and operate and maintain Clark airport’s new terminal building expected for operation by 2021.

Melo said the O&M consortium will build on the success of BCDA and CIAC and is committed to the accelerated growth of Clark airport as the premiere international gateway of Central and Northern Luzon to the world.

Clark airport has an average of around 11,500 passengers daily and registers 246 international and 480 domestic flights every week and targets to register 4.5 million annual passengers by 2022.