CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, (PNA) — Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president Victor Jose Luciano has announced that the expansion of the airport here will be completed before the year ends, to give comfort to inbound and outbound passengers in the aviation complex.
Luciano said the expansion, which started in July 1, 2013, will be completed before Dec. 31, some six months earlier than its original target date of completion of June 2014.
“By the first quarter of 2014, we are more than ready to accommodate other bigger airlines,” he said.
He said included in the expansion of the airport facilities are 44 check-in counters and conveyor systems which will be available for faster accommodation of passengers.
“This is a huge international departure area with 44 departure check-in counters as compared to only 14 counters before,” he said.
The new facilities also include arrival areas, new conveyor belts, parking, concessions and immigration counters.
He, however, said that the only facilities that would be delayed for about 60 days are the two boarding bridges, due to long procurement process.
The installation of the boarding bridges, he added, was already awarded to the supplier that constructed same facilities in Dubai.
“The existing terminal only accommodates two million passengers annually, while the new passenger terminal expansion will further boost its capacity to four to five million passengers annually,” he said.
Meanwhile, Emirates Airlines started their non-stop daily Dubai-Clark-Dubai Flights at Clark International Airport after its Boeing 777-ER touched down at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday.
Luciano, during his speech, thanked Emirates for the confidence in making Clark as one of their stations.
Emirates will have the chance to attract passengers, especially overseas Filipino workers, in the Northern Luzon that will link them to the rest of the Middle East.