CLARK FREEPORT — To further improve the agency’s oversight functions of the Clark International Airport, the Clark International Airport Corporation has conducted benchmark studies regarding the success of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport operations.

According to CIAC president Joshua Bingcang, the agency’s management team held a benchmarking dialogue and information exchange with officials of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority in Lapu-Lapu City last 24 May.

He added that both agencies are attached under the Department of Transportation and independently assigned to exercise oversight functions over privately-run airport operations.

“We have similar roles in helping our respective private airport operators succeed, so we have chosen Cebu airport and MCIAA management as benchmark, to determine performance standards and to identify best practices in airport operations, tasks which the MCIAA so far are performing effectively, and which we intend to replicate,” Bingcang said.

Mactan-Cebu Airport was named as Asia’s Best Airport among 200 airports in the Asia Pacific under the ‘5 million passenger category’ in the 2023 Routes Asia Awards and is currently operated by the GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp.

“While the private consortium Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp. operates the Clark airport,” said Bingcang. “Our functions must align with the evolving needs and expectations of passengers and stakeholders of the Clark airport so we have created an oversight team to further study and compare Clark airport operation’s metrics using the MCIAA’s monitoring practices in evaluating the performance of its private airport operator.”

“In turn, we’ll collectively analyze what the effective measures are, and which processes may improve efficiency to boost revenues for the Clark airport’s private operator LIPAD,” he added.

The CIAC’s oversight roles include the assurance that the airport facility is operated and maintained safely and securely in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards and must conform to regulations set by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and other safety and security rules.

As of 15 May, the Clark airport services 17 international flights over 11 destinations and nine domestic routes with 14 flights.