CLARK FREEPORT – Gov. Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda welcomed delegates of foreign airlines at the plush Royce Hotel here on Saturday telling them that her main concern at the moment is the opening of the Clark International Airport (CIA) as an alternative airport to the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila.
“My administration is fully committed to help the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) achieve that reality,” Pineda said.
The foreign airline representatives are among the delegates attending the ongoing Routes Asia 2016 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila that went on a short trip here.
Simon Kleinsorge, network planning manager of Air New Zealand, said he was surprised by the facilities of the CIA. “We are continuously evaluating the opportunities here,” he said.
He also said the proximity of the CIA to Auckland is “one of the many reasons why we are looking closely at Clark.”
Raymond Reedijk, Philippines country manager of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, has a “very positive impression” of the CIA.
“It is always good to visit all the airports and explore all the opportunities that is why we are very happy to be invited and visit Clark,” he said. “It’s always good to seek new opportunities. I think Clark airport has all the opportunities,” he added.
Dan Simpson, network development manager for Asia-Pacific of British Airways, said he was impressed with the CIA. “It’s great. It’s a lovely place to come. The airport looks fantastic,” he said.
“I think for British airways it’s a long way but certainly it’s something that we have to think about. We’ll have to look at it after today,” he said.
The others members of the group were Dilhan Haradasa, group head network and regulatory affairs of AirAsia Berhad; Chen Gao Hong of Shenzhen South China Holidays; Rachel Yu, country manager of Asia Landmark; and Liz Meredith and Mark Gray of UBM.
The foreign airline delegates met with CIAC officials while others are considering the Clark airport as new destination.
CIAC President-CEO Emigdio “Dino” Tanjuatco III discussed the features of the CIA telling them of the soon to start expansion of the Clark airport terminal to accommodate 16 million passengers annually.
During a luncheon hosted by Pineda at the hotel, the Sinukwan Dance Troupe performed traditional as well as Kapampangan folk dances. Local chief executives of the province as well as other CIAC officials were also present during the affair.
Pineda said additional flights to Clark will accelerate the development of not only the Province of Pampanga but the entire Region 3 and North Luzon. It will also be beneficial to about 100,000 fellow Kapampangans currently working abroad.
Routes Asia is an event for aviation based companies such as airlines, airports and tourism authorities as well as some of the largest carriers who wish to conduct business to, from and within the Asian region.
