CLARK FREEPORT – German pilot Stefan Mommertz will make a stopover at the Clark International Airport here on August 24 as part of his around-the-world expedition to promote friendship among nations.
Mommertz, who started his journey flying solo last August 7, is a senior captain for Lufthansa Airlines, the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) said yesterday.
“The German aviator will land aboard a small Cessna C185 aircraft at Clark from Okinawa, Japan as he completes his second attempt to fl y around the world,” CIAC said in a statement.
It said the Philippines is included in the pilot’s new round of expeditions which includes Malaysia, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Europe.
He had already stopped over in Germany, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Alaska, East Siberia and Japan.
In February 2015, the pilot landed in Clark from Brunei as part of his first around-the-world quest to witness the Hot Air Balloon Festival at this former US military base.
Fellow German Rolf Dunder, manager of Lubeca Marine Services Inc. based in Makati City, said that in the course of Mommertz’s cross-country flights, the pilot “fell in love with the Philippines during his first landing at Clark.”
“He will try to realize his dream to accomplish another around-the-world mission as his intention is to promote camaraderie among the various nations and to (help) improve the infrastructure for general aviation,” Dunder said, adding that “Mommertz’s experience in the Philippines inspired the aviator to make the first attempt to travel around the world.”
Dunder also said “Clark is a good place to make a stopover for those who plan on flying around the world.”
For his part, CIAC president Alexander Cauguiran said Clark airport is “grateful to be part of this momentous feat.”
“The airport’s continued development makes it very well under the global radar even for global adventurers with humanitarian missions,” Cauguiran added.
Mommertz will depart Clark on August 27 and fl y to his next stopover in Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Malaysia.
