Philippines highest aviation tower rising in Clark

MANILA, Philippines — State-run developer Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) has committed to finish the highest air traffic control (ATC) tower in the Philippines by the second quarter in time for the influx of flights in Pampanga.

CIAC president Joseph Alcazar yesterday said the agency is close to completing what would become the tallest ATC tower in the country at a height of 54 meters.

The 18-story facility will tower above Clark. CIAC believes the infrastructure will become one of the landmarks of the district. 

According to Alcazar, the tower will play an important role in guiding aircraft going in and out of the Clark International Airport.

Right now, the gateway is preparing for more flights to come in, as airlines move their turboprop operations out of Manila. 

The Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp. is expecting flight traffic in Clark to increase by double digits starting March 30.

 By then, airlines operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have to begin withdrawing their turboprops and relocating them elsewhere.

By March 30, the expectation is that aircraft movement at Clark International Airport will go up by 14 percent to 269 per week from the current 237.

This should drive a 42-percent spike in passenger volume in Clark to 3.4 million in 2025 from 2.4 million in 2024, based on the forecast of airport operator LIPAD. 

“We’ll be able to vastly improve Clark’s air traffic control system and allow for increased safety as we anticipate an increase in the volume of air travel,” Alcazar said.

Recently, CIAC sent off some of its engineers and specialists to train with aviation experts in Larvik, Norway and Milan, Italy, in preparation for their task of running the tower. They returned to the Philippines this week and reported to Alcazar that they are ready for the job.