THE Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is good news. But will PAL transfer to Clark?
If PAL is really serious in helping the Duterte administration, it should consider relocating several international and domestic operations at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
Several years ago, PAL operated at Clark airport through their budget carrier PAL Express, having provided some domestic and international flights. But it was short lived after PAL Express stopped operating after a few months for unknown reasons.
I think this time, PAL should now look at the bigger picture. NAIA can no longer handle additional flights since it is already congested. PAL should now reconsider Clark airport where they can operate with no air traffic congestions.
***
Skytrax, the leading consumer-aviation website, recently named Emirates Airlines as the “Best Airline in the World” during the 2016 Farnborough Airshow.
Emirates has been consistent in winning the award, besting its rival Qatar Airways which landed in the second slot followed by Turkish Airlines. It is the fourth time Emirates bagged the honor in the past 15 years and the new award became its first win since 2013. Last year, Qatar Airways received the award.
The award was based on passengers’ feedback most of whom experienced flying with Emirates’ world-class services. Emirates also took home the prize for Best In-Flight Entertainment or (IFE). Emirates has won the award for the past 12 years. The Skytrax awards are decided based on independent surveys completed by nearly 20 million passengers from 104 countries.
Both Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways have daily flights at Clark airport. Emirates has flights via Dubai-Cebu-Clark daily, and Qatar via Doha-Clark daily which provides relief to passengers especially Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) coming from Northern and Central Luzon.
These two Middle Eastern carriers are the big leagues operating at Clark airport. And soon we will see other air carriers flying out of Clark after the new administration supports calls to further develop Clark International Airport.