By Alena Mae S. Flores | Jul. 22, 2014
at 12:01am [ manilastandardtoday.com ]
The government will pursue the
expansion of Clark International Airport, despite the proposed construction of
a new airport in Sangley Point, Cavite, the Transportation Department said
Monday.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio
Aguinaldo Abaya said Clark International Airport Corp. was set to present a
proposal to the National Economic and Development Authority–Investment
Coordination Committee for a new masterplan next month.
CIAC, which completed the expansion of
the existing passenger terminal in May, will also submit a feasibility study
for a low-cost carrier terminal.
The Transportation Department and CIAC
earlier this year commissioned Aeroports de Paris, which owns and operates
French airports, to prepare the masterplan for Clark Airport’s longer-term
development.
“ADP presented its concept design for
a new LCC terminal to DoTC and CIAC officials last month, and CIAC is now
scheduled to present this proposal to the National Economic and Development
Authority–Investment Coordination Committee in August,” Abaya said in a
statement.
The proposed budget terminal aims to
boost Clark airport’s capacity to 8 million to 16 million passengers a year.
“We are hoping for a smooth process in
order for the project to be completed within 2016,” Abaya said.
He said the improvement in Clark
Airport presented exciting new developments and signaled greater economic
progress for Clark and Central Luzon in the coming years.
“We at the DoTC are encouraging its
growth by equipping the airport with modern facilities to meet passenger
demands today and in the future, and we hope that CRK will indeed become the
low-cost carrier hub of choice for the region,” he said.
The government will continue to invest
in Clark aerotropolis’ development and prepare it as an international hub
alongside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Sangley airport.
“We see CRK as a premier gateway
alongside Naia and Sangley, especially in view of its rapid growth over the
past few years, as well as government’s development plans for the entire
economic zone and the rest of the region. This is the direction we are taking
for presentation to the President, for his consideration,” Abaya said.
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