Clark to rebid DMIA contract

The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) hopes to rebid by the end of the month a P68-million contract for the expansion of the existing terminal for the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

In an interview with The STAR, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and chief executive officer Levy P. Laus and CIAC president and CEO Victor I. Luciano said construction of the new terminal has been delayed following the failed bidding conducted last month. CDC owns CIAC.

The result of the bidding, Luciano explained, was nullified after it was discovered that the winning bidder was not qualified.

A new bidding, Laus and Luciano said, may hopefully be held by month’s end.

The two officials expressed optimism that construction could be completed by October this year.

With an expanded terminal, Luciano said the DMIA would be able to accommodate up to two million passengers from its current maximum capacity of one million passengers.

Last year, the DMIA accommodated close to half a million passengers. The bulk consisted of international passengers totaling 470,867, while domestic passengers numbered 17,889.

Aside from an expected increase in air travel, Luciano said the CDC/CIAC foresees a major demand for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services in the next few years.

Luciano pointed out that a lot of countries in the region, particularly India and China, are on an acquisition binge.

By 2008, Luciano said, those aircraft would need to undergo major maintenance work known as a D check which is conducted every five years.