The Clark International Airport is on the brink of a significant upgrade with the construction of a new 18-story air traffic control (ATC) tower, set to be completed by the second quarter of 2025. This towering structure will not only be the tallest of its kind in the country but is also expected to enhance operational efficiency at the airport, known as CRK.
Jojit Alcazar, President of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), announced that the new ATC tower will incorporate cutting-edge communication technology that aligns with international standards, similar to those used by top airports globally. Alcazar emphasized the importance of the tower’s timely completion, stating, “We anticipate the tower to be fully operational by mid-2025, and with the expected increase in air traffic, ensuring the safety of aircraft and passengers remains our top priority.”
The new tower is designed to tackle current issues such as airspace congestion and the complexities of air traffic management, which have been exacerbated by rising global air travel and occasional equipment failures and weather disruptions. Alcazar noted, “The increase in travel volume presents significant challenges for our ATC operations at Clark, necessitating a system that can swiftly identify and address these issues.”
Beyond its functional benefits, the ATC tower will also serve as a new landmark in Central Luzon, with its height addressing visibility challenges on the north-end approach area of the runway, thus optimizing air traffic control operations.
The construction contract was awarded to MSV Construction and Supplies and Northern Builders Construction Corp. Additionally, last month, engineers and specialists from CIAC and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines completed overseas training, enhancing their expertise in managing traffic communication, navigation, and surveillance systems.