Vietjet is set to make its debut at Clark International Airport (CRK) with direct flights between Clark and Ho Chi Minh City beginning November 10, 2026, giving travelers from Central and Northern Luzon convenient access to Vietnam.

The Clark–Ho Chi Minh City route will further expand the airport’s international connectivity and give passengers in the region more options for overseas travel.

The Clark–Ho Chi Minh City route will operate three round-trip flights per week every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, providing passengers with a direct connection to one of Vietnam’s most dynamic cities and an important gateway to destinations across the country.

“Vietjet’s decision to launch its first Clark service is a strong vote of confidence in the market we serve. Clark gives airlines access to a large catchment area beyond Metro Manila, and this direct connection to Ho Chi Minh City creates a more efficient travel option for passengers across Central and Northern Luzon. We see considerable potential for this route to support both tourism and business links between the two markets.” said Noel Manankil, President and CEO of Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation, the operator of Clark International Airport.

Vietjet flight VJ1871 will depart Clark at 5:05 p.m. and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 6:35 p.m. local time. The return flight, VJ1870, will depart Ho Chi Minh City at 12:30 p.m. and arrive at Clark at 4:05 p.m.

Ho Chi Minh City offers a vibrant mix of history, culture, shopping, dining and nightlife. It also serves as a gateway to other destinations in Vietnam, with travelers able to connect onward to places such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Hue through Vietjet’s extensive domestic network.

Special Launch Promotion

To celebrate its new Clark service, Vietjet is offering special promotional fares every Friday. Passengers can book Eco fares from US$75 one-way, inclusive of taxes and fees. The promotion is valid for travel until March 31, 2027, subject to peak travel periods, public holidays and applicable blackout dates. Bookings can be made through Vietjet’s website and mobile app.

On board its modern fleet, Vietjet passengers can enjoy Vietnamese and international favorites, including pho, banh mi and Vietnamese iced coffee, alongside the airline’s inflight cultural and entertainment offerings.

Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) marked another milestone in the realization of the Clark AeroDistrict as Lufthansa Technik Philippines broke ground on its new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility within the airport complex.

The new facility, which will be built on a 157,000-square-meter site, represents a three-digit-million-dollar investment and is expected to create around 1,200 highly skilled jobs. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2028.

This is Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ second location in the country, complementing its long-established facility at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. The company is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik and MacroAsia Corporation.

The development further strengthens Clark’s aviation ecosystem and reinforces the airport’s role as a strategic hub for aviation, logistics, and aerospace-related industries in the Philippines.

Josephine Gotianun Yap, Chairperson of the LIPAD Consortium and Vice Chairperson of Filinvest Development Corporation, welcomed Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ decision to expand in Clark.

“This investment is a strong vote of confidence in Clark, in Filipino talent, and in the long-term growth of our country’s aviation industry. Together, we are transforming Clark into a major aviation hub—not only for the Philippines, but for the wider Asia-Pacific region,” she said.

Noel Manankil, President and CEO of LIPAD Corporation, said the groundbreaking reflects the continued realization of the Clark AeroDistrict.

“Lufthansa Technik Philippines is an important addition to the Clark AeroDistrict. Together with global industry leaders such as FedEx Express and UPS, it strengthens the ecosystem taking shape around Clark International Airport and reinforces Clark’s growing role as a preferred destination for aviation, logistics, and globally competitive industries.”

The new center will provide widebody maintenance, repair and overhaul services and significantly expand Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ maintenance capacity. It will feature a paint shop and workshops for non-destructive testing, further enhancing the country’s capabilities in aircraft maintenance.

Lufthansa Technik Philippines currently specializes in the MRO of Airbus A330, A340 and A380 aircraft, as well as the Boeing 777. The Clark facility will also allow the company to expand its portfolio to include the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.

Cover image: BCDA

Clark International Airport (CRK) has been chosen as one of only six airports worldwide to receive the Best Airports at Arrivals Globally award at the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Awards, organized by Airports Council International (ACI) World.

“To be named among the world’s Best Airports at Arrivals is a proud moment for Clark International Airport and for the Philippines. This recognition reflects the hard work of our team and partners who ensure that every passenger is welcomed with efficiency, comfort, and genuine Filipino hospitality. We believe that an airport should give the first positive experience to visitors to our country, and we remain committed to giving this positive  arrival experience as traffic grows globally,” said Noel Manankil, President and CEO of Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp (LIPAD), the manager and operator of CRK.

ASQ is the only global benchmarking program that measures passenger satisfaction in real time while travelers are at the airport. Nearly 707,000 passengers worldwide were surveyed across all operating hours, days, and months using scientifically designed sampling methods.

The 2025 ASQ results show that passengers increasingly value clean, welcoming airport environments and smooth, human-centred interactions. Improvements in Border and Passport Control highlight the critical role of frontline staff in reducing stress and uncertainty at key moments of the journey.

The Customer Experience Awards were announced by ACI World amid sustained global air traffic growth. Global passenger volumes are expected to reach 9.8 billion in 2025 and rise further to 10.2 billion in 2026, placing increasing pressure on airports worldwide to deliver efficient and high-quality services at scale.

Despite continued traffic growth, global passenger satisfaction increased in 2025. Border and Passport Control recorded the largest satisfaction gains, while airport ambience and cleanliness emerged as the strongest drivers of overall passenger satisfaction.

“Airports are demonstrating that passenger satisfaction can continue to rise despite growing pressure,” said Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World. “These awards reflect the collective efforts of airport teams and stakeholders worldwide. As we celebrate the ASQ program’s 20th Anniversary, we recognize two decades of trusted insights and recognition that have helped airports create better and more memorable journeys. Congratulations to all the ACI ASQ Customer Experience Award winners for their unwavering dedication to passenger experience.”

The 2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards Ceremony will be held during the ACI World Airport Experience Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 31 August to 4 September 2026. The annual summit brings together more than 800 airport executives, customer experience experts, and industry professionals to discuss strategies shaping the future of airport operations worldwide.

In total, 100 airports worldwide will be recognized for excellence in passenger experience, with 195 awards presented across all categories and regions. These include Best Airports at Departures, Best Airports: Most Dedicated Staff, Best Airports: Easiest Airport Journey, Best Airports: Most Enjoyable Airport, Best Airports: Cleanest Airport, and Best Airports at Arrivals. Eight airports will also receive the ACI World Director General’s Roll of Excellence award.