THE Clark International Airport Corp. has pitched to investors business prospects at the civil aviation complex which is being developed as the Philippines’ future aerospace hub.
CIAC president Arrey Perez made the pitch at the the 9th International Aerospace Innovation Forum organized by Aéro Montréal and the Québec government held in Canada last May 21 and 22, with over 1,700 participants from 19 different countries, 145 speakers and more than 800 business meetings over two days.
“Clark is a very viable and attractive hub for foreign investors from the aerospace industry and those who are looking for strategic partners able to address the growing necessity for aviation jobs to meet current demands and future expansions,” Perez said.
Perez said as a aerospace hub, Clark will generate thousands of aviation-related jobs boost export revenues, and provide access to state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies
Possible opportunities are in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) firms, aerospace manufacturers, fixed based operators , business aviation companies, original equipment makers, cargo airlines, logistics companies, regional and international airlines and training organizations.
“In our business meetings in Québec with top aerospace and technology industry players, we have pitched Clark’s marketability and encouraged global aerospace companies to establish facilities here (at Clark) to serve the Asia region and global market,” Perez added.
Aéro Montréal is Québec’s cluster of key leaders in the aerospace sector, while Québec is the world’s third largest center of aerospace manufacturing.
Clark International Airport and the aviation complex currently host aerospace investors such as MRO giant SIA Engineering, which maintains airframes, Hong Kong’s Metrojet Ltd. which takes care of business jets, and Lufthansa Technik which will soon construct new hangars in Clark, along with global cargo leaders UPS, DHL and FedEx.
Perez said the Philippines’ aerospace sector may strategically begin with industry upgrade, starting with reputable and comprehensive pilot training programs, along with skills training in components and assembly manufacturing, and then expanding into production engineering, procurement and distribution.
“This approach will not only improve the local aerospace value chain, but produce skilled pilots, aeronautical engineers, aircraft mechanics, and ground support executives and operators, as well,” he added.
