Olongapo SubicBay BatangGapo Newscenter

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Full dev’t of Clark airport into int’l gateway approved

President Arroyo has approved plans of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) to start working on the full development of Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here as the country’s future premier international gateway and the best logistics hub in the Asia Pacific Region.

CIAC President Victor Jose I. Luciano said the approval of the Chief Executive came after the development plans of the government-owned corporation on the full utilization of DMIA before 2010 were presented during the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) meeting in Malacanang last Jan. 23.

He and new CIAC chairman Nestor Mangio attended the meeting.

During the NEDA meeting, which was presided over by the President, Luciano reported that arrangements are being finalized with theKorean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the financing of the -million feasibility study of the Clark airport.

The President was told that the airport development plan would cover the construction of two passenger terminals and general freight terminal facilities, including maintenance, repair and overhaul of other airport facilities, and extension of navigation and runway facilities.

The top CIAC executive said that if the proposed plan is approved, some P56.5 billion would be needed for the first phase development of the airport project.

The full modernization of DMIA complex will be started immediately and will be finished by 2010.

Luciano said that the development is necessary because of the growing number of passengers at DMIA every year.

At present, DMIA terminal has a capacity of 500,000 air passengers a year.

After the completion of terminal 2, its capacity is expected to increase to five million, and then to nine million after construction of terminal 3.

Luciano said that DMIA is at present undertaking the expansion of the passenger terminal to accommodate the continuing increase in the number of air passengers at the Clark airport. The expansion project will cost R160 million.

CIAC is also finalizing arrangements with Gate Gourmet for the establishment of in-flight catering service at a cost of R1 billion.

Luciano said that President Arroyo’s order to modernize the DMIA complex resulted in the continuing increase of domestic and international flights using Clark airport.

A record high of 470,867 passengers was posted at DMIA last year. It was a 110 percent increase in passenger volume from that of the previous year.

DMIA, which plays host to a coterie of budget airlines, recorded 50,607 passengers last month alone due to the influx of balikbayans or returning residents mostly from the US.

By FRED ROXAS - Manila Bulletin

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