Clark Airport could reopen Wednesday after heavy earthquake damage to the terminal building over the Easter long weekend.
The airport, situated north of Metro Manila suffered damage but key operational facilities such as the air traffic control tower, the apron, runways and taxiways are ‘structurally sound.’
"Based on the analysis and evaluation of our tech people, at the earliest we will operate Wednesday, at the latest on Thursday," transportation secretary Arthur P. Tugade said in a media briefing.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Luzon close to the airport, which prompted the suspension of all flight operations.
Clark International Airport Corp said more than 100 flights were affected, causing disruption to 12,000 passengers.
Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines have again cancelled most flights for Wednesday, which will mean some lingering disruption even if authorities give the green light to reopen the airport then.
A new terminal building which is under construction was not damaged in the quake and remains on track to be completed by next year.
So far 16 people were reported killed in the Luzon quake, mostly in Pampanga.
Just a day later an even more powerful 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit Samar Island although there were no reports of fatalities by late Tuesday.
