"Clark to be hub for Asia region's budget airliners"

Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Clark to be hub for Asia region's budget airliners
Philippines - BusinessWorld


The government wants to turn the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport at
the Clark economic zone in Pampanga into a hub for budget airline companies
in Asia by offering them perks to land and operate there.

"We want Clark to be the hub for low-cost carriers. There are already three
budget airlines - from Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore - that have
expressed interest to land there," Transportation Secretary Leandro R.
Mendoza said yesterday.

Asiana Airlines is currently the only international passenger carrier using
the Clark airport, for daily flights to and from South Korea.

Mr. Mendoza said the government would encourage local airline companies to
operate at Clark as well.

"We are looking at providing incentives to those who want to fly to Clark.
For example, we can give an exemption of six months on aeronautical fees,
and carriers can save millions of pesos just for that," he said.

He added that his department would also look for private shuttle operators
to drive Clark passengers to Manila.

The Transport department earlier said it had offered landing rights to 52
airliners to operate at Clark. Mr. Mendoza had also said "everything will be
granted to those who wish to fly to Clark."

He added that the government would upgrade the airport for P2.5 billion, to
cover passenger tubes, and cargo and logistics facilities among others.

The Clark airport's 3.2-kilometer runway is longer than the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport's 2.2 kilometers.


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