Government to propose Clark as the Philippines’ new aviation hub
The Philippines is gearing up to position Clark International Airport as the next Asian hub for aerospace investments, with a major push set to take place at one of the largest aviation events of the year, the Singapore Airshow 2024.
Led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Philippine delegation will engage in discussions with aviation investors from across the globe, starting today, Feb. 20. The focus will be on pitching the Clark airport’s potential to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers, as well as enticing additional airlines to operate flights from the airport, which is located 80 kilometers away from Manila.
In addition to attracting airlines, the delegation aims to draw the interest of cargo operators as part of the broader vision to develop Clark into the largest food trading hub in the Philippines.
To sweeten the deal for potential investors, the DOTr will present a package of incentives, including up to seven years of income tax holiday and a preferential tax rate of five percent thereafter.
Clark International Airport already hosts several aerospace investors, including MRO giant SIA Engineering and Metrojet Ltd. Lufthansa Technik’s local unit is also investing significantly in constructing new hangars in Clark.
Berthaphil Inc., a pioneer investor in the airport, will also showcase its property projects at the airshow. The company plans to offer a vacant 10-hectare airfield at the Clark aviation complex, highlighting the access to a skilled labor pool and the airport’s connectivity to various international destinations.
With Clark International Airport facilitating the travel of approximately two million passengers in 2023, the CIAC aims to double that figure to four million this year. As the government-run firm responsible for managing the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, spanning 2,367 hectares, CIAC is driving efforts to unlock the airport’s full potential as a key player in the region’s aviation industry.
Business News: Government to propose Clark as the Philippines’ new aviation hub
