CLARK FREEPORT ZONE — Pilot Stefan Mommertz will make a stopover in the country via Clark International Airport on August 24 as part of his around-the-world expedition to promote friendship among various nations.
Mommertz, who started his journey flying solo last August 7, is a senior captain for Lufthansa Airlines.
The German aviator will land aboard a small Cessna C185 aircraft at Clark from Okinawa, Japan as he completes his second attempt to fly around the world.
The Philippines is included in the pilot’s expedition which includes Malaysia, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Europe.
Last February 2015, the pilot landed in Clark from Brunei as part of his first around-the-world quest to witness the Hot Air Balloon Festival at this former US military base.
Fellow German Rolf Dunder, manager of Lubeca Marine Services Inc. based in Makati City, said that in the course of Mommertz’s cross-country flights, the pilot “fell in love with the Philippines during his first landing at Clark.”
“He will try to realize his dream to accomplish another around-the-world mission as his intention is to promote camaraderie among the various nations in the world and to (help) improve the infrastructure for general aviation,” Dunder said, adding that Mommertz’s experience in the Philippines inspired the aviator to make the first attempt to travel around the world.
Dunder also said Clark is a good place to make a stopover for those who plan on flying around the world.
For his part, Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president Alexander Cauguiran said Clark airport is “grateful to be part of this momentous feat.”
“The airport’s continued development makes it very well under the global radar even for global adventurers with humanitarian missions,” Cauguiran added.
Upon his arrival in the Philippines, Mommertz will have already reached eight destinations, including Germany, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Alaska, East Siberia and Japan.
Mommertz will depart Clark on August 27 and fly to his next stopover in Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Malaysia.