“Assuming all flights are divided evenly between NAIA and Clark by 2025, only half of all flights would be cancelled, diverted or delayed in the event of a sudden emergency in either gateway,” Libanan said.
“We have no choice but to fully harness Clark, which has been up and running for years,” Libanan said. The International Air Transport Association sees international traveler numbers reaching 82 percent of pre-pandemic level this year, 92 percent in 2024 and 101 percent in 2025.Libanan said the government, through the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority , had invested P10 billion to fully develop Clark as an alternate gateway “precisely to alleviate congestion at NAIA and accommodate growing passenger traffic.
“NAIA is running over its design passenger and airside capacity, respectively. The current situation is unsustainable and can significantly undermine the Philippines’ competitiveness and economic growth,” according to the IFC study.