Clark: A new dawn in the heart of Luzon

Clark. The Gateay to the North. In the midst of Pampanga’s cities of Angeles and Mabalacat, between the mountains of Pinatubo and Arayat, is a land overflowing with promise. The Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association (PIATA), led by Ms. Paz Alberto, organized a fam tour through Clark International Airport (CRK) and the surrounding Clark Freeport Zone, and they had the pleasure of seeing what the place has to offer.

Clark’s story is unique and inspiring. It has undergone a stunning renewal; from a former American military base lying in ruins in the shadow of Mt. Pinatubo, to one of the country’s brightest economic lights. Today, many vibrant businesses, hotels, resorts, manufacturing facilities, and tourist attractions call Clark their home. To start, let’s take a look at the international airport servicing Central and Northern Luzon – and more increasingly, Metro Manila itself.

A Swift Arrival

For some time now, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been operating far beyond its intended capacity, leading to delayed flights. And that is not the airport’s only problem – an urban maze with hours of gridlock lies between NAIA and passengers from most of Metro Manila.

Fortunately, there is no such hurdle for people heading to CRK, which is connected to the capital metro by the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). The tour’s ride from Makati was shorter than expected, at just an hour and thirty minutes. Guides from Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp – the company managing CRK – received PIATA at the entrance. They attested that vacations begin at the airport, and it is their service that sets the stage for every trip.

It’s a seamless experience the moment travelers walk in the door; with sunlight shining through the vast main hall of the airport. The new terminal building can accommodate 8 million passengers annually. Owing to its well-distributed traffic, there are no lines inside; resulting in a stress-free time unknown to those navigating crowded airports like NAIA. The airport’s modern approach is seen in the contactless self-service kiosks for check-in.

With inclusivity in mind, the airport has family rooms, as well as gender-neutral and PWD-friendly bathrooms; and every boarding gate comes with escalators and elevators. The airport also uses colors as wayfinders. Green carpets and chairs face Mt. Arayat by the international boarding gate; while the domestic boarding area and its interiors facing the waters of Manila Bay are tinted blue.

Airlines & Lounges

The experience at CRK would not be complete without its partner airlines ready to offer passengers the comfort they deserve. These airlines include, but are not limited to:

Asiana Airlines, currently merging with Korean Air, certified 5-stars by rating agency SkyTrax.

Emirates – a titan in air travel, recognized by airline association APEX for having top-of-the-line entertainment. It is also the only airline to offer chauffeur services to and from passengers’ accommodations.

EVA Air, 5-stars and the 12 airline in the world according to SkyTrax; featuring the most comfortable passenger seats according to APEX.

Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag-carrier and oldest airline – rated 4-stars by both APEX and SkyTrax.

Last but not least, the younger airline Starlux. Fielding their first flight in 2020, the airline defied the odds during such a dark time for the industry. They’re already charging through the ranks of the world’s best airlines, going from 34 to 18 just in the past year as per SkyTrax. The same agency gave Starlux its latest 5-star rating earlier this year.

In 2022, Plaza Premium became the first business lounge to open in CRK; sporting amenities such as workstations, vegetarian options in their menu, a smoking room, wheelchair-friendly comfort rooms, and nursing rooms. On the other hand, the luxurious Middle-Eastern themed Marhaba lounge spreads across 700 square meters; featuring meeting rooms, a buffet with local and international selections, a prayer room, as well as sleeping pods and shower areas for additional fees.

Both lounges accept walk-ins for a fee – but business passengers from Asiana, Emirates, and Starlux can enjoy Plaza Premium for free; while Marhaba lounge access comes with business flights for Asiana, Qatar Airways, and Starlux.

Today, international destinations make up 60% of CRK’s flights. Overseas operations have recovered to pre-pandemic levels, while domestic flights are forecast to rebound by 2027. The airport has shown explosive growth; proportionally registering the biggest increase in passengers among the top airports in the Philippines since 2021. And with their marketing push for southern Manila starting from January of this year, the future of air travel for Clark – and indeed, all of Luzon – is brighter than it’s ever been.