New Clark airport terminal focused on safety, efficiency

SUBIC BAY AIRPORT. The Subic Bay International Airport. (Contributed photo)
SUBIC BAY AIRPORT. The Subic Bay International Airport. (Contributed photo)

CLARK International Airport's new terminal focuses on safety and efficiency, said officials of the Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation (Lipad), operator of the airport.

Aside from these, the passenger terminal also gives vital regard to culture and the unique environmental landscape of Pampanga and the rest of Central Luzon in an over-all setup.

The new airport is expected to generate employment and spur development in the region.

"All these create gravity that attracts needed jobs and economic growth," this was the summary of the offerings of the new airport terminal which was presented by Bi Yong Chungunco, chief executive officer of Lipad before members of Pampanga and regional media.

Representatives of local media outfits were given a tour of open-sites of the sprawling terminal, which was formally turned over on January 22 to Lipad by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Lipad is the operator and manager of the Clark International Airport. It currently operates the existing terminal, which is about 1.5 kilometers from the newly built terminal building.

"We look forward to making this terminal operational in July, despite the challenges of working during this pandemic because we believe Clark International Airport is a major growth driver for Central and North Luzon. Getting the new terminal ready will contribute to our country's economic recovery," Chungunco said in her speech during the turn-over rites.

Lipad is now working with key partners in putting together all the salient requirements for the efficient, safe, and cost-effective operations of the airport.

The consortium is also actively screening interested commercial partners that will form part of the new terminal's food and beverage and retail offerings.

Lipad is a consortium composed of the Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Services Inc., and Changi Airports Philippines (I) Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore's Changi Airports International.

"For the past months, we have been working in laying the foundation for improved passenger experience, services, and commercial offerings for the new terminal to make it a world-class airport-- from an empty vast space -- we filled this up with rooms, leveled the floors, plastered the walls, put up ducts, fans, conduits -- in preparation for the installation of world-class airport systems coming soon, creating an interior design with a deep, strong sense of place, and now reaching out to concessionaires to have unique commercial offerings," Chungunco said.

The new terminal building was designed to meld state-of-the-art technology with Filipino artistry and ingenuity. It can accommodate up to 8 million passengers annually.

It has a total floor area of 110,000 square meters and will have 18 aero-bridges once completed. It will cater to both domestic and international passengers within its four-floor levels.

Lipad took all necessary steps to ensure that passengers, both inbound and outbound, go through strict safety measures.

Lipad remains flexible and adaptable to the needs of travelers and assures the public that Clark International Airport is steadfast in prioritizing public health and is well equipped for it.

The existing terminal can accommodate up to 4.2 million passengers annually.

In the last quarter of 2020, Clark International Airport was awarded the Airport Health Accreditation by the Airports Council International. This was in recognition of its efforts in making the airport a safe and secure place for the traveling public. This made CRK the first airport in the Philippines to receive this global accreditation.

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