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Former U.S. air base transformed into international gateway.
Opened
1996
Location
Mabalacat, Philippines
Clark International Airport, designated IATA code CRK and ICAO code RPLC, is located in Mabalacat, Pampanga, in the Philippines' Central Luzon region. It serves as an alternative international gateway to Metro Manila, situated approximately 80 kilometers north of the capital.
The airport is built on the grounds of the former Clark Air Base, which was one of the largest U.S. Air Force installations outside the continental United States until it was vacated following the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo and the subsequent expiration of the U.S. bases treaty. The facility was converted to civilian use and is managed by the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD).
Clark handles both domestic and international flights, with significant low-cost carrier traffic. It has undergone expansion efforts to relieve congestion at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and serves as a key airport for the Clark Freeport Zone.
Terminals
The airport has a single passenger terminal building that has been expanded and modernized to handle growing international and domestic traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include bus services to Metro Manila, taxis, and ride-hailing services, with the airport also accessible via the North Luzon Expressway.
Airlines here
Major carriers operating at Clark include Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Philippines, and Philippine Airlines, along with several international charter and scheduled carriers.
Notable facts
- ›Built on the site of the former Clark Air Base, once the largest U.S. Air Force base outside the continental U.S.
- ›The original base was heavily damaged by the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, accelerating the U.S. military withdrawal.
- ›The airport is located within the Clark Special Economic Zone and Freeport.
- ›It serves as an alternative international gateway to relieve pressure on Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
- ›LIPAD (Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation) took over airport operations in 2019.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
