Trotz des gewaltigen Zuwachses in NAIA und den dadurch enstehenden - oft stundenlangen Verspaetungen - gelingt es CRK nicht, den Platz fuer Airlines und Passagiere attraktive zu machen. Passagierzahlen sind ruecklaeufig! Dennis Limlingan beschreibt die Situation in CRK sehr schoen in seinem Artikel:
ZitatAlles anzeigenDESPITE the promotion and marketing of the Clark International Airport (CIA) to be the alternative airline travel gateway next to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the number of passengers using the CIA is diminishing.
A downtrend in the volume of passengers reveals that it has failed to attract travelers to use the CIA and prefer instead to use the NAIA for their airline travel. The Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) blames it to the failure of national leaders to fully develop the CIA and even tagged it as an “economic sabotage”.
The statistics on the dwindling number of passengers using the CIA was likewise seconded by the Department of Tourism based on the agency’s count on tourists.
For years, the CIA is being promoted to become the next premier international gateway with many local officials in Central Luzon calling the national government to have it fully developed. The latter on its part was either silent on it or has given empty promises for its development.
Many believe meanwhile that it is simply politics that keep the hands of the government tied from having the CIA fully developed as a premier international gateway.
It can be recalled that during the time of the then President and now Pampanga 2nd District Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the development of the CIA commenced. It was even later renamed as the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in honor of Congresswoman’s father, former President Diosdado Macapagal.
Again by sheer politics, as many believed, it was renamed into the Clark International Airport to perhaps avoid seeing or hearing the surname Macapagal. Many also believe that the present administration is giving a hands-off at the CIA because it is located in Pampanga, the hometown of Arroyo.
At any rate, the CIA should have been fully developed for a long time now considering the need to decongest the NAIA, among other reasons. The CIA’s runway and perimeter is far better than the NAIA. In fact, as I have been told then, the runway of the CIA can accommodate a big airplane the NAIA cannot.
Airport congestion is one of the major problems of the NAIA and decongestion of course is the solution. The CIA offers the solution and if only the national government can listen to the calls, it will have the solution in its hand.
Decongesting the NAIA also carries with it a little solution to the growing traffic problem in Metro Manila considering the volume of vehicles carrying airline travelers at the said airport in Metro Manila.
The decreasing number of passengers using the CIA meanwhile is saddening considering all the efforts made to make it a premier airline travel gateway and the potential economic promises the airport at Clark brings should it be made a twin to the NAIA.
Aside from the decreasing number of passengers, the number flights and airlines using the CIA have also decreased. Some airline companies have stopped using CIA and such is a major blow in its operations.
The current problem the CIA is facing is not only saddening but also alarming since it is hurting the local economy and tourism. The national government should set aside politics as many believed to be the real cause of the inattention given to the CIA.
As a potential international gateway, the national government should also promote it to become such aside from fully developing its facilities.
Meanwhile, the calls to fully develop CIA should be made louder in order to change the downtrend in the number of passengers and airlines using it.
Auch die Management Association of the Philippines, der think tank der phil. Wirtschaft, sieht ganz klar, dass die Regierung nicht faehig ist ein viable Airport Concept fuer Clark zu erstellen!
ZitatAlles anzeigenBased on Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) data, a premier airport terminal will cost about $1.2 billion versus $200 million for a low-cost terminal.
If cost is the main consideration, developing a premier airport terminal can be done in phases so that the cost can be broken down per module.
The total expenditure can be budgeted accordingly and the total amount does not have to be spent immediately.
If we have to construct a low-cost terminal, it should be part of an integrated premier airport plan and not a separate facility; otherwise, it will not fit into the total airport plan.
The amenities of the premier airport, such as business establishments, waiting areas and service facilities are all integrated in the total airport plan covering both the low-cost and the premier airports.
This type of arrangement will be more convenient for passengers.
Based on Clark International Airport studies, the Clark Airport is capable of having three runways to accommodate passenger growth, possibly in the next 30 years.
Developing Clark International Airport into a premier airport will indeed entail a big sum of money.
But if it is planned on a modular design basis where each module can be a distinct airport facility, it can already serve as an airport terminal while other modules are under construction.
A premier airport might take several years before it is finished, but this modular construction will result in less disruption to airport services.
Another product of “thinking poor and small” is the program of the Manila International Airport Authority.
Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) was aesthetically refurbished and money has been spent for other improvements and plans for an additional terminal that will require billions of pesos.
Yet it is known that the Naia has reached its limits of utilization. It can no longer accommodate passenger growth due to lack of runways.
Therefore, delays and inconvenience have become perennial problems of incoming and outgoing passengers and these will not be solved by the expenditures.
The development of the Clark International Airport as an alternative premier airport is the most convenient and practical solution to our airport problem. The land area is capable of having three runways that can accommodate passenger growth.
Clark has existing infrastructure facilities, hotels and business establishments.
Therefore, these amenities will continue to be attractive to tourists, businesses and financial investors if the Clark International Airport will be converted into a premier airport.
Some are saying that Clark has no railway facilities; however, without a definite plan to turn it into a premier airport, train facilities to and from Metro Manila will not be attractive to investors.
The Philippines has become known for having one of the worst airports in the world and that concern has to be addressed soon.
The problem is that decision-makers think small and are afraid to make bold actions for a better tomorrow.
This article reflects the personal opinion of the author and does not reflect the official stand of the Management Association of the Philippines or the MAP. The author is the chair of the Consolidated Matrix Inc., former director of the CIAC and former chair of the CIAC infrastructure committee.
