LIPAD takes over Clark airport

MANILA, Philippines — LIPAD Corp., the special purpose vehicle company established by the North Luzon Airport Consortium (NLAC), is lining up big plans to make Clark International Airport the country’s premier gateway after officially taking over the airport’s operations and maintenance contract from the government yesterday.

LIPAD was awarded the operations and maintenance for the project with a 25-year concession by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

The agreement includes the operations and maintenance of the existing terminal and the new terminal.

NLAC, a consortium composed of Changi Airports Philippines Pte. Ltd., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc., is also set to develop the commercial assets and fit-out the new terminal.

“Now, the Clark international airport will be in better hands, achieving greater heights,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The Clark international airport to date covers 19 domestic and 12 international destinations serving 734 weekly flights from a total of 17 airlines.

LIPAD president and CEO Bi Yong Chungunco said the consoritum would work to expand the airport’s network and connect Clark to more international and domestic flights.

“We are expecting four new international airlines to start flying from Clark internation airport in the next few months,” Chungunco said.

“We are also in talks with airline operators for the possible integration of terminal fee in the airfares as part of our goal to provide a very seamless travel experience. So soon, passengers will prefer flying in and out from Clark airport,” she said.

Construction of the new passenger terminal at Clark International Airport is being undertaken by the consortium of Megawide Construction Corp. and GMR Infrastructure Ltd. of India and is set to be opened by June or July next year.

The expansion of the Clark International Airport is seen to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which serves as the country’s main international gateway.

“We thank the BCDA for the opportunity to create a new identity for the Clark International Airport. We are working towards reinventing it to a world class airport and meet the continued growth of international and domestic air travel,” Chungunco said.