PAL to start two new routes from Clark Airport

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is launching two domestic routes from Clark International Airport with the goal of linking the Pampanga province air gateway to Cebu and Davao.

Alexander Cauguiran, CEO of state-run Clark International Airport Corp., said the moves were “essential” to decongesting Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

PAL launched its first flights from Clark in December last year via a Clark to Caticlan Airport (Boracay). PAL followed that up with flights from Clark to Incheon, South Korea.

The Clark to Cebu flights will start on Jan. 30, 2017 while Clark to Davao flights will start Feb. 1. PAL will fly to Cebu four times weekly and thrice a week to Davao.

“Travelers and tourists from the Northern and Central Luzon who wish to travel to Cebu and Davao will surely choose Clark because of its proximity, convenience and world-class facilities,” Cauiguiran said in a statement.

Ramping up operations at Clark Airport was a keystone initiative of the Transportation Department under President Duterte. Clark Airport, which is underutilized, has struggled to lure traffic. That was mainly due to the lack of mass transport options linking the gateway to Metro Manila.

The government wants to address the issue with new railway projects. These include a railway system from Manila to Clark, the Subic-Clark railway, and Clark Green City.

The Transportation department, meanwhile, is releasing an initial P2.8 billion for the construction of the new Passenger Terminal which is scheduled to be built within the next three years. The project will double Clark Airport’s existing capacity to eight million passengers per year.