DoTr to endorse NLAC’s bid to operate Clark Airport

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) in the Philippines is set to endorse a proposal by the North Luzon Airport Consortium (NLAC) to assume the operations and management of Clark International Airport to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is implementing the project and aims to complete the awarding process before the end of this year to a winning consortium for a period of 25 years.

Executives from the BCDA have not responded to requests for comment.

Competing alliance X-Droid Consortium was disqualified earlier this year, which strengthened the NLAC’s position.

If the contract is awarded to the NLAC, it will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of both Clark International Airport’s existing passenger terminal and a new terminal, which is set to be operational by 2020.

The new building spans more than 100,000m² and will increase the airport’s capacity to eight million passengers per annum from the current four million.

According to reports, North Luzon Airport has agreed to sign a revenue-sharing arrangement that will see the government receive an 18.25% share of gross revenue, which is above the minimum requirement of 10%.

A number of airlines operate from the airport, including Qatar Airways, Jin Air, Cebu Pacific, Tigerair, Asiana Airlines, AirAsia, Dragon Air, Philippine Airlines and Emirates Airlines.

The NLAC is a consortium of Changi Airport, JG Summit Holdings, Filinvest Development and Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions.