CLARK, Pampanga -- Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and chief executive officer Alexander Cauguiran has expressed optimism that the number of passengers passing through the airport would reach two million this year.
Cauguiran said there is a big chance Clark Airport would break the record of 1.5 million passengers in 2017, following a phenomenal growth in the first three months of this year.
From Jan. 1 to March 31 this year alone, a total of 600,811 passengers passed through Clark Airport.
“At this rate and with the full support of the Duterte administration, we will be able to break the 2017 record of 1.5 million passengers and will probably reach the two million mark this year," he said.
In March this year, the CIAC chief said Clark Airport posted a record breaking 215,040 passengers.
On the other hand, the highest number of travelers served in just a day was last April 2 with 8,322 individuals.
“These numbers are the highest, so far, in the history of CIAC since 1995,” Cauguiran said.
The average daily passenger volume at the Clark Airport is 7,000, served by a total of 481 weekly flights, 158 of which are international, and the remaining 323 are domestic routes.
He attributed the passenger growth at the Clark Airport to the increase in international and domestic flights by low-cost and full service carriers.
Airlines operating flights at the airport are Asiana Airlines, Cathay Dragon, Cebu Pacific, Emirates, Jetstar Asia, Jinair, Philippines AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, and Qatar Airways, Scoot, while chartered flights are operated by AirSwift and Alphaland Aviation.
"There is definitely a surge at Clark airport in terms of the number of flights, destinations and passenger volume, along with the improvements of its facilities, all largely possible under the leadership of President (Rodrigo) Duterte," Caugurian added.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade lauded the management and staff of CIAC for ensuring the convenience and safety of the commuting public, particularly during the recent observance of Holy Week.
Tugade extended his deepest and sincerest gratitude to CIAC personnel who, he said, “unselfishly sacrificed their off days to give and assure the riding public the safety, security and comfort in their Holy Week journeys and travels".
At the same time, five CIAC staff were commended for “honesty and exemplary service in the performance of their duties” which, Cauguiran pointed out, “gave a breath of fresh air in the light of social media post that have put Clark airport in a bad light the past several months”.
CIAC security officers Christopher Ferry and Larry Magcalas were cited for promptly returning on March 10 the belongings left behind by a passenger and politely turning down a reward.
In February, outsourced personnel Eduardo Labarda returned a passenger’s lost mobile phone and Eranie Decena surrendered a Rolex watch while last December, parking attendant John Pamintuan assisted a troubled balikbayan beyond his duty at the CIAC Park and Fly facility. (PNA)
