Clark International Airport — Attraction in Mabalacat

Rating: 4/5

Clark International Airport (CRK) Terminal 2 has quickly become the second-best airport in the Philippines, following Cebu’s Mactan-Cebu International Airport, but for travelers residing in Central Luzon, it’s undoubtedly a top choice. Its location and accessibility make it ideal, especially with its proximity to NLEX, allowing for a convenient 1.5-hour drive from our home.

Pros: Spacious, Clean, and Quiet: Compared to the busy and congested NAIA terminals, Clark Terminal 2 offers a stark contrast with its spacious design, clean facilities, and quieter ambiance. These qualities create a more pleasant and stress-free experience for travelers. Convenient Location: For Central Luzon residents, CRK is the perfect airport. Its strategic location minimizes travel time to the airport, making it a more practical choice than traveling to Manila. Modern Design: The terminal’s architecture is sleek and modern, giving it a world-class feel. It’s clear that the airport is designed to accommodate future expansions, though some sections are still under construction.

Cons: Limited Dining Options: While the airport’s cleanliness and spaciousness are commendable, its F&B options are lacking. There are no fast-food outlets, and the existing restaurants charge significantly higher prices—up to three times more than what you’d pay outside. This creates a gap for travelers seeking affordable and quick dining options. Toilet and Facility Management: While the toilets are clean, the management could take cues from Changi Airport’s meticulous upkeep. Regular maintenance and innovative solutions like smart toilets could elevate the passenger experience. X-Ray Machines and Immigration Process: • The x-ray machines feel outdated and could benefit from an upgrade to state-of-the-art equipment for a smoother and faster departure process. • Immigration counters often seem understaffed, leading to longer waiting times. Introducing electronic gates, like those in other modern airports, would significantly improve efficiency and enhance passenger convenience.

Overall Assessment:

Clark International Airport Terminal 2 is a top-tier airport in the Philippines and a clear favorite for Central Luzon residents. While it is already miles ahead of NAIA in terms of cleanliness, space, and ambiance, there’s still room for improvement. Expanding the dining options, upgrading facilities, and innovating departure processes would bring it closer to the level of airports like Singapore’s Changi.

Clark International Airport should continuously strive to innovate and improve, ensuring it remains competitive and a favorite among travelers in the region. Despite its minor shortcomings, it remains a reliable and convenient choice for many passengers, offering a more relaxed and efficient...

We got to the airport very early but almost missed our flight because of a big problem with our luggage. It was hands-down the worst airport experience I’ve ever had. The staff weighed everything, including personal items. They were very strict with how much our bags could weigh. They even counted our small handbags with our carry-on luggage, which was a surprise.

The inconsistency among the airport staff regarding how to handle our overweight luggage was baffling. We found ourselves repacking multiple times based on varying advice from different employees. This was not only frustrating but also a major time sink.

Initially, we were shocked to be told that our excess luggage would cost over Php 30,000 (more than £500) for being 22kg over the limit. This amount was later adjusted to 14kg, and in the end, we were over by just 12kg. The changing information felt like an attempt to exploit us for more money.

What concerned us greatly was the focus on luggage weight over security. Our bags and liquids were barely checked, as if the weight was all that mattered. Furthermore, the mishandling of our boarding passes, wrong not once but twice, was the height of unprofessionalism. This, coupled with the luggage fiasco, pushed us dangerously close to missing our flight.

Sadly, this wasn’t an isolated incident. Many other passengers struggled with similar problems, suggesting a systemic issue. It seemed the airport prioritised collecting fees over passenger convenience and safety.

Also, the airport staff assisting us with our luggage were not welcoming and lacked professionalism. I noticed them whispering and giving us looks when they thought we weren't paying attention. When I tried to ask them directly about what was being said, they simply ignored me and turned away, which was really rude. Despite acting confident, each staff member gave us a different story on how to solve our luggage issue, making the whole situation even more confusing. It was like they couldn’t agree on their own rules, which just added to our stress.

This experience was the worst I've ever had, reflecting poorly on what is otherwise a beautiful country. I love the Philippines, but the airports, unfortunately, leave much to be desired.

Clark International urgently needs to improve its processes. Air travel should be straightforward, especially for those who make an effort to arrive early and avoid such...

As for international tourist Philippines immigration system and entry requirements are one of the most nerve racking things you face at first. While fully vaccinated, with valid PCR test, filled online One Health Pass in advance (with all needed documents and information entered/uploaded prior my arrival), I had to go through 14 check points - not kidding 14!! I took precaution and also printed all in paper and thank god I have done it. I really dont understand One Health Pass system if you have to print everything and bring it all the way from your point of departure to provide upon entrance - what is the OHP website for then? Basically the same information is then asked and filled into immigration form. Departure is another experience. You cant reach airport by phone, I tried multiple times in business days at different times, no answer. While going to airport to obtain information you cant find online and you cant reach by phone, you have to explain to 3-4 different security officers what you actually doing in the airport? Information desk had phones on their tables and I didnt see them ringing so lets hope its the "new airport thing" that is going to be fixed soon, as other unfinished things in the new terminal, like half of escalators and elevators not working, information arrow points you to desk which is not accessible or on different floor. Once you are inside the process is smooth, except immigration process which is again longer than comfortable but nothing terrible. New terminal is nice looking compared to the other Philippine airports. I really, really hope entry and departure process will smooth out in time. I will gladly change my rating once I visit Philippines...