Proposed P2.5-B Clark runway aimed to decongest Naia

The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) plans to build a second runway at Clark airport which can be regarded as the fastest means to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Based on CIAC studies, a secondary parallel runway will cost approximately P2.5 billion, including all navigational aids and equipment.

CIAC president Alexander Cauguiran said House Committee on Transportation chairman Rep. Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes supported in principle the proposed building of a new runway at Clark, while Surigao del Sur Rep. and Deputy House Speaker Prospero Pichay Jr. committed to assist CIAC in seeking budget appropriation for the planned new runway.

Cauguiran said construction of a new secondary Clark runway is the most practical and immediate solution to absorb the adverse impact of emergency incidents at NAIA.

“Clark needs a new secondary parallel runway positioned to allow simultaneous take-offs and landings to easily decongest the overcrowded NAIA pending the construction of proposed airports either in Bulacan or in Cavite,” Cauguiran said.

“The new runway has been my longtime proposition, a quick answer to address runway congestion or closure in Manila especially in times of emergencies. This will hugely augment the ongoing construction of Clark’s Terminal 2 with eight to 10 million annual passenger capacity,” he said.