New P2.5 billion Clark runway seen to ease NAIA congestion

MANILA, Philippines — The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) intends to build a new runway for the Clark airport which would serve as the quickest solution to address runway congestion and closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport during times of emergency.

Based on CIAC studies, a new secondary parallel runway will cost the government around P2.5 billion, including navigational aids and equipment.

CIAC president Alexander Cauguiran said House Committee on Transportation chairman Rep. Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes has supported in principle the proposed building of a new runway at Clark, while Surigao del Sur Rep. and Deputy House Speaker Prospero Pichay Jr. has committed to assist CIAC in seeking budget appropriation for the planned new runway.

Cauguiran said construction of a new secondary parallel runway at Clark may be the immediate solution to absorb the adverse impact of emergency incidents at NAIA, which serves as the country’s main international gateway.

“Clark needs a new secondary parallel runway positioned to allow simultaneous take-offs and landings to easily decongest the overcrowded NAIA pending the construction of proposed airports either in Bulacan or in Cavite,” Cauguiran said.

“The new runway has been my longtime proposition, a quick answer to address runway congestion or closure in Manila especially in times of emergencies. This will hugely augment the ongoing construction of Clark’s Terminal 2 with eight to 10 million annual passenger capacity,” he said.

The Clark International Airport is being positioned to be the next major gateway in the country.

The Xiamen incident in NAIA last month affected close to 200,000 passengers due to hundreds of delayed and cancelled flights.