CLARK FREEPORT - Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Mindanao and the Visayas may now find it more comfortable to fly out here after more local and international airlines have announced increased flights at the Clark International Airport (CRK).
Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President Alexander Cauguiran said that Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific and other international airlines will increase their flights this December.
OFWs may avoid the monstrous traffic jams going to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by flying through Clark airport," Cauguiran said.
Carriers operating in Clark include Emirates, Qatar Airlines, Dragonair, Hong Kong; Tiger Air, Cebu Pacific and Jin Air.
CRK accommodates 114 domestic and international flights weekly.
Cauguiran said a One-Stop-Shop for OFWs have recently been set up near the airport, upon the orders of President Duterte.
In 2015, a total of 122,473 OFWs utilized CRK. From January to October this year,112,930 OFWs flew out via Clark airport.
About 1.8 million OFWs fly out of the country annually with an average of 6,000 departures a day.
"CRK offers a less stressful departure and arrival point not only for OFWs and other travelers, that could also help ease traffic in Metro Manila, particularly on roads leading to the airport," Cauguiran said.
The development plans of the Duterte administration for Clark airport prompted carriers to increase their flights here.
Starting December 16, PAL will fly daily to Caticlan. The Philippine flag carrier will start its Clark flights to Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Busuanga by January next year.
PAL has also announced daily flights to Incheon, South Korea next year.