Passenger volume at Clark International Airport (CRK) in 2023 reached nearly 2 million, 42 percent higher than its forecast.
“We are both thrilled and affirmed by what we’ve achieved this year. The substantial increase in passenger numbers, surpassing both industry forecasts and previous year’s performance, is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team and the attractiveness of our airport,” Noel Manankil, Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD) president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.
The passenger volume last year marks a substantial increase against forecast and a 158 percent increase against 2022 numbers.
The traffic forecasts were done in cooperation with Changi Airports International Pte. Ltd., a key partner and technical consultant of LIPAD, the consortium that operates and manages CRK.
The forecast is based on the projected restoration of airline seat capacity, taking into consideration border policies, demand recovery, airline plans and other airports constraints after the pandemic.
Throughout the year, the airport facilitated a total of 14,892 flights and ended the year with 11 international and 10 domestic destinations.
Looking ahead to 2024, Manankil expressed LIPAD’s commitment to further improvements.
“As we move forward, we vow to build on this success and explore new avenues for enhancement. Our goal is to exceed customer expectations, and we are excited about the opportunities that the coming year holds for Clark International Airport,” he said.
This growth not only indicates a robust recovery for Clark airport and the Central and Northern Luzon regions, but also reflects a positive trend in the broader aviation sector, LIPAD said.
Last year, major airlines ramped up operations in CRK, with Royal Air’s resumption of daily nonstop flights to Hong Kong and Taipei-based carrier STARLUX Airlines’ launch in North America via CRK.
The CRK passenger terminal building which was completed in 2022 has a capacity of 8 million passengers annually.
