The Luzon International Premier airport Development Corp. (Lipad), the operations and maintenance (O&M) contractor of the Clark International Airport, is reviewing its portfolio and is updating its masterplan to adjust to the effects of the pandemic.
Bi Yong Chungunco, chief executive officer of Lipad, told the Asia CEO Forum last week, the group is focusing on cargo where it noted an increase in volume the past year; general aviation and; maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) now that the passenger traffic is quite low.
Chungunco said this will ensure “we have a balanced portfolio.”
She said this is also an opportunity to update the master plan crafted for the airport more than eight years ago.
“We are updating it which will give us a strategic framework of about 25 years,” Chungunco said.
LIPAD earlier announced plans to convert the existing terminal into a mega vaccination center once the new terminal opens next month.
Chungunco said in support of government’s vaccination program, the 25,000-square meter facility will cater to vaccination of those in northern and central Luzon. Lipad also took over operations of adjoining civil aviation complex covering more than 800 hectares at Clark airport.
Lipad is composed of Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit, the Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions and Changi Airport, the latter also its technical advisor.
Pre-pandemic, Clark airport had 19 domestic and 14 international destinations operated by 18 airlines flying almost 700 flights every week.
In 2020 following Lipad’s takeover in December 2019, Clark airport posted an 18- percent increase in domestic passengers and a 16-percent increase in international passengers.
But COVID-19 hit and passenger traffic dropped due to border restrictions.
Chungunco said Clark airport saw a 17-percent increase in cargo traffic last year.
The airport also played a very significant role in bringing back overseas Filipino through the repatriation program of the government.
