(Photo grabbed from web)
CLARK FREEPORT – The new company in charge of the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the Clark International Airport here has vowed to “add more delights” so that airline passengers will have an improved airport experience.
This means a series of terminal enhancements, policy changes and improved security procedures in the existing terminal for their welfare.
Teri Flores, Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp. communications manager, said during the “Balitaan” media form organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. at the Bale Balita here on Friday that they are closely working with Changi and Airport Specialized System Providers to improve customer experience.
Some of the terminal enhancements include the changing of more than 1,000 broken tiles, improvement of lighting and diff users, painting walls and columns, rehabilitating toilets which now have bidets and other amenities and wayfinding signages.
The airport will be more secure with the installation of new x-ray machines and the implementation of new standard operating procedures for security, Flores said.
She also said the integration of terminal fees and airline tickets is being prioritized. She said LIPAD Corp. CEO Bi Yong Chungunco wants this prioritized because it is a caused of concern of most passengers. Flores pointed out that in Manila, the terminal fee is already integrated.
“So, here passengers are surprised to find out that they still need to pay terminal fees,” she added.
Flores said more retail and F&B choices are coming in among them Starbucks and Gerry’s Grill. But more importantly, additional international airlines are coming in and have confirmed schedules for their maiden flights, she said, adding that international airlines with flights to South Korea, Japan and eventually to the USA are coming in.
The contract signing with the airlines will be within the year and the full implementation will be by 2020. She said the target for this year is four million passengers for the existing terminal which right now have 2.7 million.
This will be the move towards the new terminal which, she said, will be completed by June next year. However, putting in place the equipment and furnishings will lasts for about six months, she clarified.
“There would come a time that the new terminal building and the existing terminal would co-exist for a brief period before the old terminal would be decommissioned,” Flores said. “As for the third runway, if the airport has reached a certain capacity, then its construction will start.”
