Clark International Airport is strengthening its partnership with Emirates as it pushes to become a bigger international gateway for tourism, trade and investment outside Metro Manila.
Emirates Country Manager Khalid AlZarooni met on July 20 with officials from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Department of Tourism (DOT) Region III and airport operator Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) to discuss opportunities for deeper collaboration.
The meeting highlighted Clark’s growing importance as an aviation hub serving Central Luzon, with stakeholders showcasing the region’s tourism attractions, expanding infrastructure and investment opportunities that could support more international air services.
LIPAD said Emirates’ daily Dubai-Clark flight continues to provide travelers from Central Luzon with direct access to one of the world’s largest airline networks, opening seamless connections to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Together with Qatar Airways’ four weekly Doha flights, Clark has steadily expanded its reach to key global markets.
The airport’s international footprint has also grown significantly. Clark now connects passengers to 10 overseas destinations across nine countries through 11 foreign and low-cost carriers, operating around 101 international flights each week.
The expanding network is helping fuel tourism and business activity in the region. According to the CDC, Clark Freeport welcomed 32.6 million visitors in 2025, generating P43.47 billion in tourism receipts. Visitors stayed an average of 4.66 days, while hotel occupancy reached 79 percent, underscoring strong demand from both leisure and business travelers.
Officials believe stronger ties with global airlines such as Emirates will further accelerate Clark’s transformation into the country’s second major international gateway.
Beyond bringing in more tourists, additional international connections are expected to make Central Luzon more attractive to foreign investors, improve cargo and trade links, and provide travelers with more direct flight options without passing through Metro Manila.
As congestion continues to challenge the country’s main gateway, Clark is positioning itself as a fast-growing alternative capable of supporting the Philippines’ expanding aviation, tourism and investment ambitions.
