The new passenger terminal building (PTB) of Clark International Airport is set to start partial operations next month, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Arthur Tugade, DOTr secretary, who led the inspection of the airport Tuesday said the new PTB will start domestic operations next month, while international operations will begin this September.
Last January, Megawide-GMR Construction Joint Venture Inc. (MGCJV) turned over the certificate for the completion of Clark airport to officially hand over the operation and maintenance to Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD), the operator of Clark International Airport.
With the project’s completion last October, the first phase of the airport’s expansion, the airport’s passenger capacity increases from 4 million to over 12 million per year.
The new terminal is a four-level edifice with a total of 110,000 square meters of floor area and 18 aero bridges. It houses both international and domestic terminals and can handle 8 million passengers in a year.
Meanwhile, LIPAD and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which manages the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), said they are ready to comply with the stringent safety protocols set by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the national government for the arrival of 200 foreign delegates of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark.
Both LIPAD and MIAA assured they are working closely with the relevant agencies to facilitate the arrival of the tournament participants on June 13.
LIPAD said it has been coordinating with BCDA and CDC for the guidelines and procedures to avoid compromising the integrity of the sports bubble environment.
“LIPAD acknowledges that both agencies are the lead agencies to follow when it comes to ensuring the safety of FIBA in Clark. LIPAD designed arrival and departure guidelines for FIBA delegates at Clark International Airport in accordance with the protocols set by both agencies, as well as that of the FIBA organizers,” the airport operator said.
The FIBA tournament is organized by the BCDA and its subsidiary CDC, in coordination with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the local governments of Pampanga and Angeles City.
The games are slated for June 16 to 20 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Angeles City. – Myla Iglesias
