By Marinel Peroy
Honoring a century of Philippine participation in the aviation industry, the year 2024 aims high to drive transformative changes, forge strategic partnerships, and attract more investment opportunities in the country. This can be done through continuous efforts of the key industry players, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
On February 2, the European Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ECCP) gathered representatives from government agencies and private sectors and held a media briefing to tackle the latest update on the country’s aviation industry and opportunities that the Philippines can seize in the global market scene.
Key speakers include DOTr’s Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Atty. Roberto Lim, BCDA’s Executive Vice President Atty. Gisela Kalalo, Clark International Airport Corporation President and CEO, Mr. Arrey Perez, Berthaphil Inc.’s President and CFO, Andrew Schwartz, and Asian Business Aviation Association Vice-Chairman Maximilian Motschmann.
All companies in Philippine aviation are invited to participate in the Pavilion and to showcase the excellence of the country’s aviation industry and investment opportunities to the global market.
This will be the “maiden flight” of Philippine aviation to participate in the Singapore Airshow which is scheduled from February 20-25, 2024 at the Changi Exhibition Centre. Dubbed as “#OnePHAviation, Together We Fly”, the historical activity is set to provide a platform for more innovation, cooperation, and strong international partnerships within the global aviation landscape.
Taking flight towards more advanced developments
Speaking with THEPHILBIZNEWS, President Arrey Perez of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) mentioned that the goal is to make Clark as “the premier global civil aviation and logistics hub of Southeast Asia.”
“Clark airport is in a special economic zone. Clark can be one of the primary drivers for attracting more foreign direct investments, using the airport,” Pres. Perez said.
Describing the current business climate as “aggressive, robust, and transformative”, he emphasized that Clark is also leveraging as a vicinity through the movement of “goods” with the transshipment of cargo, and not only the movement of people.
In addition, below are CIAC’s seven flagship projects:
- Road network directly linking NLEX/SCTEX to CRK
- Entertainment and events hub
- Clark National Food Hub
- Urban renewed program and heritage preservation
- Expansion and upgrading of road networks and utilities
- Detailed site development plan of the second runway
- New CIAC headquarters
Likewise, Perez mentioned that the aviation sector remains positive as there has been continued growth and robust recovery of the post-pandemic situation, as seen in the Clark International Airport (CRK). Last year, CRK registered nearly two million passengers, with an increase of 160% from 2022.
Currently, CRK has 11 international and 10 domestic flights, and for 2024, there will also be 13 new local and international destinations in the following areas:
- Bacolod
- Bangkok
- Cagayan De Oro
- Cheongju
- Coron
- Davao
- General Santos
- HongKong
- Iloilo
- Macau
- Narita
- Puerto Princesa
- Taipei
Meanwhile Undersecretary Roberto Lim of DOTr responded to THEPHILBIZNEWS’s question about the current status of the NAIA’s rehabilitation project by saying that experts are still evaluating the technical proposals. However, he said that the results are expected to be known by next week (Feb. 7 or 8). He also explained that after the announcement next week, the third box will be opened and this will pave the way to assess the financial proposal of each of the four bidders.
“By February 14 or 15, we shall be able to announce who the winner is. That’s how close it is,” Lim said.
Truly, as the Philippines debuts on the Singapore Airshow, this will certainly complement all the developments being done in the aviation industry of the country and 2024 is a transformation-oriented year that ushers and aims to achieve the vision of #OnePHAviation, Together, We Fly” an exciting business and investment opportunity to make navigating through the ‘clear skies’ and propel growth as the Philippine aviation industry set to fly high like an eagle in the sky.