Clark International Airport (IATA code: CRK), about 80 km north of the capital Manila, is gearing up for a second runway—a move poised to supercharge its rise as Central Luzon’s aviation nerve center and a fast-emerging engine of regional economic growth.

On Monday (April 27, 2026), the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) awarded the detailed engineering design contract for a second runway at CRK, advancing plans to transform the facility into a major logistics and aviation hub.

The ₱206.9 million contract was granted to a joint venture between local firm Schema Konsult Inc. and South Korea’s Yooshin Engineering Corp., the BCDA said.

The additional runway will serve as a backup to the main runway in the event of operational disruption or unavailability, ensuring continuity of safe operations and enabling non-stop airport activity in the future.

Further, BCDA stated that the expansion is also expected to support increasing demand from logistics carriers and improve overall airport efficiency.

BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang said that the project is aligned with the Marcos administration’s push to modernize the country’s transport infrastructure and strengthen the logistics network along the Luzon economic corridor.

“By building a second runway, we are taking a significant step towards strengthening Clark International Airport's operational resilience and long-term capacity. This development will build in redundancy to ensure uninterrupted operations, minimize the risk of disruption, and enhance Clark’s competitiveness as a premier logistics and aviation hub,” Bingcang stressed.

He claimed that more importantly, the said development will benefit Clark and the wider Central Luzon region by enhancing connectivity for locators and businesses while generating more employment opportunities for the local communities as airport and related services expand.

The detailed design phase is targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2027, which will pave the way for BCDA to conduct a separate bidding process for the construction phase with the new runway projected to become operational by the fourth quarter of 2029.

The Clark International Airport is fast emerging as a premier gateway in the country after having served some 2.7 million passengers last year.

Moreover, international logistics giants, UPS and FedEx, are currently expanding their logistics operations in the said airport.

BCDA, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, is pushing forward the development of additional airside infrastructure in Clark International Airport, including taxiways, aprons, runways, and utilities to support the growing demand as well as the operational requirements of its locators.

The said endeavor will enable Clark International Airport to accommodate more aircraft movements, improve turnaround times, and enhance overall operational efficiency. 

The Clark International Airport started its operation in its new location in December 2021 and has since started to become the gateway to other premier tourist destinations in Luzon, being strategically located at the heart of the Central Luzon area.

Source: Manila Standard/Gulf News