PROFUSE THANKS. Emirates’ Mattar lavishes praise on CIAC’s Luciano at post-maiden flight prescon.
PHOTO BY BONG LACSON
CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – The arrival of the maiden flight of Emirates Airlines last Tuesday was hailed by every offi cial here describing it as “Clark’s biggest day in its history!” It was a proud moment for Clark International Airport Corp.
(CIAC) President- CEO Victor Jose “Chichos” Luciano who said that “a new day has dawned on Clark International Airport (CIA) and Clark Freeport.”
During his speech at the arrival ceremony, Luciano was choked with emotions as he narrated how 20 days of relentless rainfall has failed “to dampen the spirits and the enthusiasm of the men and women of CIAC as well as our suppliers and contractors.”
Some CIAC personnel in the audience had tears welling in their eyes as Luciano was speaking before Philippine government officials led by Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Embassy of the UAE Second Secretary and Consul Mohammed Abdel Rahim Mohamed Askar Alnaqbi as well as offi cials of Emirates Airlines led by its Senior Vice President Mohammed Mattar, Vice President Ravishankar Mirle, Country Manager Gigie Baroa and other guests.
The construction of the expansion of the CIA passenger terminal called the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) did not meet the self-imposed deadline of Luciano who earlier pronounced that the construction will be finished in time for Emirates’ maiden flight last Tuesday.
Ahead of schedule
Luciano explained that the expanded terminal, which will have a capacity of five million passengers when completed, was started on July 1 this year and is set to be finished on June, 2014. But he said based on the progress of the work, the expanded terminal will be finished six months ahead of schedule on December 31.
He clarified that the initial September 30 deadline meant that the new terminal building can be used by departing international passengers even if construction is still ongoing. “I said September 30, we start using it,” he cleared. .
(See related article – The Big Lie – in Zona Libre on page 4.)
Last Tuesday, VIPs, guests as well as airline passengers and their families were herded to the new terminal building which had no air-conditioning among other inconveniences. Luciano told guests that the air-conditioning is still “being commissioned” at present but will be ready for the arrival of Qatar Airlines’ maiden flight on October 28.
For his part, Mattar was profuse in his expression of thanks to Luciano. ““He (Luciano) has done a lot for Clark, and that he is really working hard to make Clark airport as the next gateway of the Philippines. We are happy to be here. We are sure we will do good here in Clark. Thank you Mr. Luciano,” he said.
“The Clark market shows a great potential for growth,” he added as he thanked Luciano again for his efforts.
Confidence in Clark
Mattar expressed confidence that Emirates Market in Clark will grow as passengers in the North Luzon area would have the chance to take their flights at Clark airport instead going to the Manila airport. Emirates Country manager Gigie Baroa said that Emirates flights will attract overseas Filipino workers mostly residing in the North and attract tourists from the Middle East and Europe.
Baroa said there are about 1.5 million overseas workers in Saudi Arabia, 600,000 in UAE and 150,000 in Bahrain. Abaya, who was interrupted in the middle of his speech by an airport announcement on a flight bound for Kailbo, commented “as secretary of transportation that should take precedence over the speech.”
“Let me be clear. We value your trust. We value your business and we will not let you down,” he said adding that “the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has been working hard to upgrade the capacities of our airline and aviation services and has improved operation standards for industry players and stakeholders in the country which has resulted in the lifting of significant safety concerns.”
The arrival of Emirates today brings with it greater business and travel opportunities for our people. Thanks to Emirates Airline why it is indeed more fun in the Philippines,” Abaya said.
Passenger reactions
One of the first passengers to emerge from the flight was Dubai Company owner Omar, an Emirati, who said he is staying here for two weeks “then I go back.”
When asked for his reaction he said: “It is ok. We are happy, very nice, no problem, everything good in this airport.” Travel executive Carmen T. MacTavish who was also on the maiden flight from Dubai said the flight was “very good.
This is going to signal the continuous development of Clark.”
Other reactions
Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales, who was one of the officials welcoming Emirates Airlines, described the maiden flight as “a welcome development.” He added that it will certainly contribute to the economy by generating jobs and spur the growth of the tourism industry by leaps and bounds.
“This is the best sign that the Clark area is on the way to development,” said 1st District Rep. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao. “We would like to thank Emirates for choosing Clark and for trusting the prospects of good business here in Pampanga,” he declared.
“We welcome them and we will support them especially for the further development and for the enhancement of travel and tourism as well as the convenience of our OFWs,” he added. “We congratulate Mr. Chichos Luciano and officers of CIAC for convincing business prospects to make their investment and to make the commitment and to keep on improving the business climate here in Clark,” said Guiao.
Reacting on the unfinished airport terminal building Guiao said: “I know the secretary (Abaya) is here. I know he will not let something unfinished here in Clark. I’m sure it has already gotten his attention.”
First officer Walter Brigoli of Emirates Airline, a Filipino pilot who was part of the relieving crew, said everything looks good. “Maganda ang airport. Maganda ang terminal although hindi pa masyado organized dahil bago pa.
Air-conditioning wise mainit pa ng konte (The airport is beautiful. The terminal is beautiful although it’s not yet organized because it’s new. Airconditioning wise, it’s still a little too hot),” Brigoli said.
His pilot, Emirati Capt. Ahmed Almalood, also expressed elation, said Brigoli who spoke on his behalf.
The Emirates Boeing 777-200 LR from Dubai was piloted by Filipino Capt. Jaime Rocamora Jr. and First Officer Yousif Alblooshi. It landed as scheduled at 4:40 pm and went through the ceremonial water cannon salute upon its arrival. The Clark-Dubai maiden fl ight which departed at 6:35 on Tuesday was piloted by Capt. Almalood and Brigoli as his co-pilot.
