PHILIPPINES. With the opening of Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International airport (NAIA) terminal 3 still uncertain, Manila International Airport Authority says it is working overtime to expand Diosdado Macapagal International airport (DMIA) in Clark.
Philippine President Arroyo gave the go-ahead last month for redevelopment of the renamed Clark Field International airport, on the outskirts of the city. The President ordered the “reinforcement” of her executive order declaring the Diosdado Macapagal International airport (DMIA) as the alternate International airport for Manila.
President Arroyo said there would be government funds for the “immediate operation” of DMIA as an international airport. She has signed an executive order transferring the management of Diosdado Macapagal airport from Clark Development Corp to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
President Arroyo also said that she had talked to Secretary Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communications on how to make more international traffic move to Clark (DMIA) from Manila.
Speaking to the Manila Standard newspaper, MIAA general manager Edgardo Manda said unless there is resistance from Clark Development Corp, the airport authority will be able to complete the necessary infrastructure improvements before the end of 2003, with an immediate investment of PHP100 million (US$2 million).
During the term of the previous President Ramos, it had been decided that Clark would eventually become the country’s premier international airport because the vast area could accommodate larger terminals.
This plan was set aside, however, when Ramos was able to get the country’s taipans – Lucio Tan, John Gokongwei, Henry Sy, Andrew Tan and George Ty – to invest in building a third terminal at Manila’s NAIA.
The Cheng family’s PAIR Cargo group, later Philippine International Air Terminals Co (PIATCO) was able to better the bid of the taipans and ended up building Manila’s T3 with Fraport, under the Estrada administration.
The current President Arroyo, however, cancelled the contract with PIATCO in November 2002, even after the terminal had already been finished. Then the Supreme Court voided the contract earlier this year. The government and PIATCO are still feuding over the government’s planned takeover of T3 with the PIATCO consortium demanding that it be paid back its investments (The Moodie Report, 1 May 2003). The Supreme Court has yet to decide on a motion for reconsideration filed by PIATCO on the court’s ruling.
Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority said it is creating a strategy to grow international flights to DMIA dramatically.
“We are making a marketing plan to get the airlines to go there. For international flights, we are aiming at the Middle East and Asia Pacific countries, which carry 80% of overseas Filipino workers. We want to make sure the passengers also will not be affected by the transfer,” said Manda.
Asiana Airlines begins regular flights from Seoul to DMIA at the end of October, bringing high-spending South Korean tourists. For domestic flights, Cebu Pacific and Asian Spirit are expected to resume operations to DMIA. The increased outbound flights are also expected to help service businesses in the Clark and Subic business zones by offering closer connections (compared to Manila).
“This will decongest Manila,” said Manda. “Also, there is only one runway in NAIA. We have good plans for Clark and Manila International Airport Authority.”
