TRAVEL RESURGING IN CRK

By Patria Iane M. Balilla

Post-pandemic tourism has allowed ‘revenge travel’ to become a phenomenon.

Clark International Airport (CRK), the country’s premier gateway in the north, is a witness to this surge in the influx of air travelers. It has recorded a significant increase in passenger traffic—a milestone since the opening of the new passenger terminal building last year.

CRK records show it welcomed 189,183 passengers in May 2023, a whopping 217 percent increase compared to the same month last year. Domestic passengers tallied 35,814, while international passengers totaled 87,347.

Flights also rose by 290 percent (vs. May 2022), with a total of 1,537 flights (878 international; 659 domestic).

These are all thanks to the growing demand for air travel and the great addition of new airlines and routes at the airport.

As of June 2023, CRK already houses 14 airlines, which includes five domestic and nine international companies. It also serves 10 domestic and 13 international routes.

Airlines

Domestic

Cebu Pacific | Philippine Airlines |

Philippines AirAsia | AirSWIFT | Sunlight Air

International

Air Busan | Asiana Airlines |

Emirates | EVA Air | Jeju Air

Jetstar Asia | JinAir | Qatar Airways

Domestic Routes

Cebu | Caticlan | El Nido |

Davao | Busuanga | Iloilo |

Bacolod | General Santos

Cagayan de Oro | Puerto Princesa

International Routes

Dubai | Doha | Singapore |

Incheon | Yangyang | Busan |

Muan | Taipei | Bangkok | Hong Kong | Macau | Narita | Jeju (Charter flight)

What's New in CRK? Art Within an Art

CRK’s valued sense of place, specially with its multi-awarded architectural design, rose to greater heights as it housed an art exhibition called ‘ OBRA.’ The exhibit featured works of distinguished Kapampangan masters. A Kapampangan himself, Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Inc. President and CEO Noel F. Manankil said he envisioned for the airport to be a source of pride for the Central Luzon region. “Part of this is to reflect our strong local culture and heritage, not just in the design of the airport but also in our activities. It is just natural for CRK to showcase the works of Pampanga artists,” he added. The exhibition ran from June 13 to July 15, at the domestic gate entrance of the airport.

ARTISTS FEATURED IN ‘OBRA’

• Mr. Dodgie Aguinaldo - paintings of the Kapampangan traditional clothing and costumes

• Mr. Arnel Garcia - mixed-media arts

• Ms. Ana Algabre Hernandez - female surrealism paintings

• Ms. Justine Velasquez - seascapes scenes on resins

• Ms. Donna Camaya - hand-made acrylic on tissue paintings

• Mr. Andy Bondoc - copper bonsai works

• Mr. Joeyboi Galang - nationalistic paintings

• Mr. Lloyd Dacayanan - bird paintings

• Mr. Cesario Jojo La Madrid Jr. - wood carvings

• Mr. Enrie Nicdao - modern abstractions

• Ms. Chelssie Aven Pan - abstract works

• Architect Marinel Tungol - nature-inspired paintings