“I was told by AirAsia Berhad country manager about the temporary suspension of Clark-Kuala Lumpur flights. The issue is all on the aircraft utilization and not the loading factor,” said Clark International Airport Corp. President-CEO Emigdio “Dino” Tanjuatco lll.
It was reported that AirAsia ceased operations starting March 1.
Tanjuatco admitted he did not receive any formal notice from AirAsia about the suspension and he only learned it during the recent Routes Asia 2016 event held in Manila.
This, even as he expressed hope of resumption of flights: “AirAsia still maintains its office in Clark as an indication that the Malaysian airline would resume its operations. Its suspension is just momentary.”
Tanjuatco said the decision was prompted by “the need for a thorough evaluation of the Clark-KL Malaysia route.”
The world’s leading low-cost carrier, AirAsia Berhad was the first airline to make the CIA as its hub some 10 years ago with daily flights to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.
Subsequently, it spawned AirAsia Philippines which opened Clark routes to Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei and local destinations Davao, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa.
In September 2013, AirAsia Philippines stopped its Clark operations and moved to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after it merged with Zest Air.
Emirates’ return
As AirAsia Berhad departed, Emirates Airlines is set to return to the CIA on March 30. Tanjuatco said the daily triangular DubaiCebu-Clark flight will be a “boon” to overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East.
Emirates airlines launched, with much fanfare, a daily DubaiClark Dubai flight in October 2013, only to stop operations after eight months, on May 1, 2014.
This, according to Emirates, “after a review of the airline’s operations to ensure the best utilization of its aircraft fleet for its overall business objectives.”
The remaining airlines operating in Clark are Asiana, Qatar Airways, DragonAir, Cebu Pacific, Tiger Air Singapore, and Jin Air.
