BANGKOK—Southeast Asia’s largest airline wants the Duterte administration to build a train system going to Clark and forego a plan to construct a new international airport near Manila.
“We believed in Clark a long time ago. We lost a lot of money in Clark. But’s as I’ve said, Clark has to be developed. It’s important having been an operator in Clark. Clark will not work unless there’s a good train service. It’s important that the government push the infrastructure,” AirAsia Group chief executive Tony Fernandes told reporters at the sidelines of the airline’s Asean Heroes 2016 event.
AirAsia Philippines started operations in Clark in 2012, but halted flights a year later due to issues on commercial viability. The company acquired Zest Airways to access slots from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“Clark is a great airport. It’s important that the government puts a total solution [which] includes buses, and effective transport system to Clark. Clark will work if you have a good transport,” Fernandes said.
He said the government should build a train system to Clark. “It’s [train system] cheaper and faster. I’m not someone who would build and build. I’d think, use what you have. Clark is great. It’s just too long to get there,” he said.