Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD) on Friday expects the new passenger terminal building of Clark International Airport to be operational by July this year. 

“We look forward to have this terminal operational in July this year despite  the challenges of working during this pandemic because we believe that Clark  International Airport is a major growth driver of Central and Northern Luzon,” Bi Yong Chungunco, chief executive of LIPAD said, during the turned over ceremony of the new terminal. 

“Getting this terminal ready contribute to our economic recovery,” she added. 

LIPAD consists of Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc. and Changi Airports Philippines Pte. Ltd.

The Department of Transportation and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) turned over the new passenger building terminal, built by  Megawide GMR Construction Joint Venture Inc. to LIPAD. 

Megawide GMR Construction won the construction package of the Clark International Airport expansion project in December 2017 after submitting the lowest bid of P9.36 billion under a hybrid public-private partnership scheme.

Once operational, it will boost Clark’s operational capacity, tripling the airport’s passenger volume from 4.2 million to 12.2 million annually.

The expansion will also elevate Clark’s stature as “Asia’s Next Premier Gateway” and help decongest the passenger traffic at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Paranaque.

Airlines operating in Clark include Qatar Airways, Cebu Pacific, Tigerair, Jin Air, Asiana Airlines, Dragon Air, AirAsia Berhad, Philippine Airlines, Korean Air, Xiamen Airlines, Pan Pacific Airlines and Emirates Airlines.

These airlines mount flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Macau, Pudong, Incheon, Doha, Dubai, Davao, Cebu and Kalibo.

LIPAD, formerly known as North Luzon Airport Consortium, earlier signed a 25-year concession agreement with state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the operation and maintenance of Clark International Airport.

The consortium plans to establish a new reputation for Philippine international gateway airports to ensure seamless travel in Philippine airports. The consortium’s technical partner is Changi Airport Philippines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Changi Airports International.