Clark International Airport (CRK) expects a significant increase in passenger volume this year, driven by the mandatory transfer of all turboprop operations from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport starting next March.
The number of passengers at CRK reached 2.4 million in 2024, up 20 percent from a year earlier.
The original passenger volume forecast this year was 3 million, from 2.4 million in 2024, but with the turboprop travelers now going through CRK, we are looking at probably 3.3 to 3.4 million, Noel Manankil, chief executive officer of Luzon International Premiere Airport, told reporters in a press briefing in Taguig City on Thursday.
Luzon International is the operator of CRK.
With the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) mandate to transfer all turboprop operations from NAIA to Clark International starting March 30, Manankil said the number of weekly flights at CRK will increase to 269 from 237 currently.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will relocate its turboprop operations to Clark in October this year, Manankil said.
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific’s subsidiary Cebgo announced recently that its flights to Masbate and Siargao will relocate from NAIA Terminal 2 to Clark International starting next month.
Cebu Pacific flights now include 15 domestic and international destinations out of Clark.
Meanwhile, the majority or 65 percent of passengers at Clark come from international flights while 35 percent are domestic passengers.
Last year, several airlines expanded their operations at CRK including Singapore’s low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia, which resumed direct flights from Singapore to Clark. Cathay Pacific’s budget carrier HK Express also launched a new route from Clark International, while PAL launched new flights to the tourist destination Siargao.
During the 2024 TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards-Asia, CRK was named International Airport of the Year for its exceptional passenger services and transformative contributions to the aviation industry.
The airport’s innovative initiatives, including the implementation of Minimum Performance Specifications and Standards (MPSS), have set benchmarks for quality and operational efficiency. Regular audits conducted by the Airports Council International (ACI), alongside robust passenger feedback systems, ensure that CRK consistently meets global standards and enhances the travel experience.
As a member of the Airports Council International, which represents over 2,100 airports worldwide, Clark International said it upholds the highest standards in the aviation industry and continues to strengthen its position as a vital gateway for both local and international travelers.
