AirAsia’s transfer to NAIA affects Clark airport
CLARK FREEPORT Pampanga , Philippines – Passenger volume at the Clark International Airport (CIA) here went down by 30 percent since AirAsia suspended its operations to move to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last September.
Clark International Airport Corp. president and chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano admitted that AirAsia’s move affected CIA’s performance this year, although he expressed confidence for a “rebound†next year.
Luciano announced plans to lure more Chinese tourists in 2014 following the opening of Cebu Pacific’s new routes between Clark and the major cities in China. Last Saturday, Cebu Pacific launched its regular Shanghai-Clark flights.
He said the Tiger Airways is also ready to initiate regular flights to Guangzhou and other major cities in China.
“The big factor is Fontana resorts which has reserved 120 round trip seats in each flight of Tiger Airways for big time casino players,†he said.
Fontana maintains a golf course, resort and casino in this freeport.
Luciano said he has asked the Tiger Airways to takeover the Clark-Taiwan flights as well as the flights to Kuala Lumpur.
He said he was confident of a rebound next year amid good showing in the patronage of the new flights of Emirates and Qatar to and from Dubai and Doha, respectively.
He said the two Middle Eastern airlines recently upgraded their aircraft flying the routes to accommodate more passengers.
Last September, AirAsia stopped its operations here to move to NAIA and to merge with Zest Air.
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