Clark Airport nears pre-pandemic passenger levels with 1.64M travelers in first half

The airport served 1.64 million passengers from January to June as new Vietnam flights and the entry of Chinese airlines are expected to boost international travel.

Clark International Airport says its passenger traffic is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with new international offerings expected to boost foreign travel at Luzon’s second-largest airport.

Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD), the airport’s operator, said the flight hub served a total of 1.64 million passengers from January to June this year, equivalent to 78% of the passenger volume during the same period in 2019.

Domestic passengers totaled 758,328, a 24% increase from last year and 64% of the 2019 level.

International passengers reached 879,990. While down 5% from 2025, this year’s total so far is 96% of the airport’s 2019 figure.

LIPAD Chief Executive Officer Noel Manankil projects the airport will match its 2019 record of 4 million passengers by 2028. The airport is targeting 3.1 million total passengers by year-end, based on its total visitorship of 2.7 million in 2025.

Manankil also said the airport will soon welcome Chinese airlines and launch flights to Vietnam by the end of the year, moves expected to bring in more international visitors ahead of the holiday season.

Both domestic and international travel are showing signs of recovery from pandemic losses and more recent headwinds caused by the global fuel crisis, with lower fuel surcharges offering travelers some relief.