Qatar Airways to help boost Clark airport traffic
FOOT TRAFFIC. Qatar Airways country manager Paolo Pausini (2nd from right) and officials of the Clark International Airport Corporation discuss ways to market the airport and Qatar Airways to increase passengers. Photo from the Department of Transportation
MANILA, Philippines – Qatar Airways committed to help market Clark International Airport through expansion plans that will cater to "upscale travelers" going to Europe, the United States, and the Gulf countries.
This comes on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement to use Clark airport more often as an international gateway, in a move to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In a meeting with Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) executives on Monday, October 24, Qatar Airways country manager Paolo Pausini agreed to do more in developing and making Clark airport more active.
Qatar Airways is a major international carrier at Clark International Airport, with regular flights for its Clark-Doha route, which services mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Central and Northern Luzon.
Pausini said Qatar Airways is looking to expand its market by developing leisure, business, and corporate traffic to Europe, the US, and the Gulf countries.
This will be done by tapping into its network in the Philippines, South Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East, said Pausini.
18-month marketing plan
Pausini said Qatar Airways is now working on an 18-month marketing plan.
For CIAC, its president and CEO Alexander Cauguiran said marketing for Clark airport and the airlines operating there "is a key part of CIAC's plans and programs it is set to implement immediately."
"This is a plan of action we have approved during our recent strategic planning conference," Cauguiran said, adding that CIAC will be conducting road tours to promote the flights at the Clark International Airport.
He also said that his office is developing a brand image for Clark.
"The marketing and branding campaign will target our catchment area like the northern Philippines and the northern part of Metro Manila like Caloocan and Quezon City," he said.
Cauguiran added that CIAC will be visiting parts of the northern Philippines, including the Camanava area, during its road tours.
Pausini said Qatar Airways will cooperate in doing co-branding activities and roadshows together.
"It's very important to promote Clark as even a better gateway to the crowded Manila," Pausini said.
Other than Qatar Airways, Clark airport also serves as a host to other Middle East carriers like Emirates Airlines, which flies daily circular service via Dubai-Cebu-Clark.
Other airlines that fly to Clark airport include South Korea's Asiana Airlines and Jin Air via Incheon-Clark and Pusan; Dragonair via Clark-Hong Kong; Cebu Pacific via Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau and domestically to Cebu; as well as Tiger Air via Singapore. – Rappler.com
