DOTr, BCDA turn over maintenance, operation of Clark airport to consortium

(Eagle News)–The Department of Transportation and Bases Conversion and Development Authority has formally turned over the operation and maintenance of the Clark International Airport to a  consortium.

The DOTr said in a statement that the turnover to Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. composed of Filinvest Development Corporation, JG Summit Holdings Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc., and Changi Airports Philippines (I) Pt. Ltd. took place on Friday, Aug. 16.

Aside from handling the operation and maintenance of the new terminal and its existing facilities, the consortium is also set to develop the commercial assets, operate and maintain project facilities, and fit out the new terminal, the agency said.

It said the new terminal, the first hybrid public-private partnership project  under the Duterte administration, is 74.58 percent complete as of July.

The DOTr said the terminal will be operational by 2020, with airport capacity expected to triple from the current 4.2 million by then.

The concession period for the whole project will last for 25 years.

“I saw the improvements in the terminal, and CRK has been flying so high in terms of increasing ridership and airline operations,” Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said.

” To LIPAD, paliparin mo ang paliparan na ito. Make it go and make it grow, so it becomes the envy of airports within this country and all over the world,” he added.

At present, some 11,500 passengers fly via Clark daily.