GOODBYES are not forever.
Our good friend Chichos Luciano has started to bid farewell. He hosted lunch for some media colleagues two days ago in what I think is the first of a series of adieus to the Clark community.
Yes, he is leaving Clark. Momentarily at that, as he would be very much around with his new post as director (one of only four seats) at the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
A lot of people are asking – is that a promotion for him?
People’s perspective may vary. A lot of them would say yes while some would think otherwise. But what the heck. Let’s give it to the man who – as I have always written in this column – has almost singlehandedly made things happen at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.
Yes, I am sticking to that belief especially in bringing in numerous flights in and out of Clark. That from literal birds, the skies over Clark was filled with Boeings and Airbuses because of his marketing efforts.
Going back to that question. I think the man would now have upper hand in deciding which foreign and local carriers should go to Clark. This is something he was helpless in even while he was at the helm of Clark’s airport. At CAB, he will be very influential in making more airlines land at Clark. The agency is primarily mandated to grant air “traffic rights”. CAB is like the LTFRB for air transportation where the former approves routes and what airlines should fly them.
Going back to the question again. I think the man would have less stress in dealing with day-to-day problems in operating an airport. On the contrary, it’s going to be a walk in the park in devising some policies for the country’s airline industry.
I could even imagine him at CAB soon thought-seeking, paper-reviewing, and heart-and-head deciding with his two feet up on the table with his hands clasped together behind his head while reclining on a comfy executive chair. Or better yet, airlines would seek him out and personally show him the routes (and destinations) in various parts of the globe.
All those perks come with the job. After all, being in aviation industry means one really has to fly. After all too, the man was hands-on in an executive post the last 13 years and he just deserves an easy-going position while helping craft some aviation policies for the country while enjoying all the perks, stress-free.
Isn’t that a promotion of sorts for a man who is leaving Clark with his slate clear from Ombudsman case?
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The man has had sterling performance in Clark. From the time he was took in by Atty. Emmanuel Angeles as his deputy in CDC (2001-2006) and up to the time he was entrusted to run his own kingdom as president and CEO of CIAC. That was 13 years combined.
In CDC, he was known to be generous. Not only with his own personal money but also in giving in to some requests that warranted some revisits (and even runarounds) and some rigid but inconsiderate rules. One example is transfer of medical benefits from its employees to their family members which are no longer covered by it. Luciano acted promptly, judiciously, considerately in cases where he did not mind going over so-called “limits” if it meant saving lives and having healthy and worry-free members of the workforce.
In CIAC, he tucked under his belt the most significant accomplishments in Clark insofar as the airport is concerned.
Singlehandedly -- as I have many times in my column articles about Clark. Of course, he would always be quick to acknowledge the help of his associates in CIAC like his EVP Ben Manga, VPs Larry Ortile, Darwin Cunanan and the rest of managers and employees.
I have written various pieces about Clark airport and most of them points to Luciano’s true grit as a leader, manager, marketing man.
Luciano will always be credited for the entry of more airlines in Clark. First was Asiana Airlines with its Incheon-Clark-Incheon flights which at some point were held twice daily.
Then a lot of airlines followed suit -- Tiger Airways, AirAsia Berhad, Cebu Pacific, Jin Air, Seair, Dragon Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, etc.
To recall, Luciano’s presence in CIAC led to the following:
The series of expansion and improvement of passenger terminal building. First was in 2008, then in 2012, to make it capable of accommodating 2.5 million passengers per year. This would again be upgraded into 5 million under the Phase 2 program.
The acquisition of $9.9M Clark Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) which serves as alternate to NAIA’s own radar. The navigational aids (weather instruments, runway lighting, etc) were also improved, including the passenger terminal’s two boarding bridges (tubes), VIP lounge and concession area, X-Ray walk-thru machines, Flight Information Display System (FIDS), CCTV system and public address system.
Additional Air Entitlements for CRK in 2009 with the following countries: Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom, Libya, Oman, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China, Egypt, Findland, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Russia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam.
The establishment of vital services for airlines like the Berthaphil IV Logistics Park, $3M Gate Gourmet/Miascor Inflight Catering Services, MRO facilities by SIA Engineering and Metrojet.
Under his tutelage, the growing airport was recognized with awards like the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Low Cost Airport of the Year 2006, the Airport of the Year” Award for airport serving below 15 million annual passengers category at the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Aerospace and Defense Awards in 2008, 3rd Best Airport Zone by fDi Magazine of UK (2012), 2013 Routes Airport Marketing Award (Under 20 Million Passengers category) in February 2013, Mumbai India.
Goodbyes are not forever indeed. With all these tucked under his belt, I would not be surprised if a third President (after P-Noy and P-GMA) appoints him back to Clark. And not surprisingly, even to a bigger and better position of trust that will make Clark airport truly soar to greater heights.