Construction of second Clark runway expected to start by next year — LIPAD

THE construction of Clark International Airport’s second runway is likely to begin next year, according to airport operator Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp., with the design work possibly completed this year.

“I think the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is now bidding out the detailed engineering design (for the project). The bidding is still ongoing,” LIPAD Chief Executive Officer Noel F. Manankil told reporters.

The second runway at Clark International Airport is a project of the BCDA, which controls the land occupied by the former US Air Force base.

LIPAD has been pushing for a second, or alternate, runway to support operations, providing redundancy for cargo and passenger flights.

At present, Clark International Airport’s single runway, can handle up to 40 aircraft movements per hour.

This year, LIPAD said it is expecting a 15% increase in passenger volume to 3.1 million mainly driven by the transfer of turboprop operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

However, it may trim its passenger forecast for the year if the war in the Middle East continues.

Since the start of the Iran crisis, which led to cancellation of flights to the Middle East, he said LIPAD is expecting a reduction of 20,000 passengers a month.

LIPAD logged 2.75 million passengers in 2025, up 15%.

LIPAD is composed of Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings, Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Services, Inc., and Changi Airports Philippines (I) Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Changi Airports International. — Ashley Erika O. Jose