FedEx, other firms wooed to put up logistics operations in Clark

The operator of Clark International Airport is scouting for more logistics players after a global brand recently announced its plan to expand operations there amid the growing demand for cargo handling and delivery.

Noel Manankil, CEO and president of Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (Lipad), told reporters last week they were “marketing Clark as a hub for logistics.”

This, after global logistics company UPS disclosed it would be building a new hub in Clark to beef up its supply chain and services amid the rising demand for last-mile delivery due to the e-commerce boom.

READ: UPS building new Clark hub to boost Asia-Pacific network

The company is set to start construction by February 2025. The new hub, expected to be up and running in 2026, is part of the logistics company’s $250-million investment commitments in Asia Pacific, including Singapore, Japan, China, Vietnam, South Korea and Taiwan.

Google, Temasek, and Bain & Co. had projected that the Philippines’ e-commerce sector will be worth $22 billion by 2025.

Following this, Manankil said they were also hoping that another logistics brand, FedEx, would expand their operations in Clark.

“We’re always in talks with our locators for potential locations,” he said.

Terminal capacity

He also shared that the airport has enough terminal capacity to accommodate more passengers but the current global supply chain crunch was seen to slow down aviation operations. Airlines are dealing with issues of aircraft availability as jets remained parked as the lack of spare parts is delaying maintenance.

READ: Country’s total e-commerce value may reach $24B in two years

Because of this, Lipad trimmed its 2024 passenger forecast to 2.4 million from 3.3 million previously. Still, the projection shows a growth from the 2-million count last year.

The Pampanga airport is set to launch 13 new domestic and international routes this year. These are: Taipei, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Narita, Macau, Cheongju, Coron, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa.

Last week, it was also announced that budget carrier Jetstar Asia will launch direct flights between Clark and Singapore starting June.