Clark International Airport in Pampanga was named one of the world finalists for the Prix Versailles, a prestigious annual international prize that recognizes the best architecture and design projects in the world.

This year’s finalists include six airports, six university campuses, six passenger stations, and six sports facilities from hundreds of projects completed in 2020 to compete in the Prix Versailles World Finale.

Clark International Airport will be competing against other airports in the world under the Prix Versailles Airports 2021 category. Among the airports nominated are the Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt, Germany; Athens International Airport, Greece; Hazrat Sultan International Airport, Kazakhstan; New Plymouth Airport, New Zealand, and LaGuardia Airport – Terminal B, New York, United States.

The world selections pay tribute to the qualities of innovation, creativity, a reflection of local, natural and cultural heritage, and ecological efficiency, as well as the values of social interaction and participation.

According to the French-based organization, the winners will be announced and feted in late November or early December 2021.

“To be nominated by a prestigious award-giving body is already a great honor and pride, not just as part of the DOTr, but also most importantly as a Filipino. This will not be possible without the hard work of our partner agencies, the BCDA, LIPAD, our contractors, and dedicated workers. To regard the Clark International Airport worthy of world recognition is already a huge encouragement for us to keep going and a reassurance that we are on the right track,” Department of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said in a news release.

A joint project together with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, the airport’s newly completed second Passenger Terminal Building is set to be fully operational by September this year. It has a design capacity of 8 million passengers per annum.

The airport’s new passenger terminal building project has two components.

First is the construction of the horizontal infrastructure (new apron, extension of taxiways, construction of apron and taxiway shoulders) was allocated thru the budget of DOTr, thru the Clark International Airport Corporation.

On the other hand, the construction of the vertical infrastructure (shell of the terminal building, secondary access road, parking facilities, transport terminal hub) was funded by the BCDA.

On September 2020, the shell of the terminal building, as well as other landside developments, were completed.

The fit-out interior requirement of the new terminal is being undertaken and funded by the Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation, which is a private concessionaire, following the O&M Contract for the Clark Civil Aviation Complex.

Complementing its world-class architectural design is the terminal’s use of new technologies that support a seamless travel experience for passengers and will cement the airport’s position as “Asia’s Next Premier Gateway.” (PNA)