Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has unveiled plans to establish a state-of-the-art aviation campus aimed at meeting the growing global demand for aviation professionals. The initiative is designed to produce highly skilled personnel, addressing a projected shortage in the aviation industry over the next decade.
The aviation campus will be located within the government-owned civil aviation complex near Clark International Airport (CRK | RPLC). According to CIAC, the facility will feature a comprehensive curriculum and cutting-edge technology to train future aviation professionals such as pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft mechanics, and aeronautical engineers.
This initiative comes in response to a 2023 Aviation Talent Forecast by Canadian training service provider CAE Inc., which predicts a need for 1.3 million civil aviation professionals worldwide by 2033. This includes 284,000 new pilots, 402,000 technicians, and 599,000 cabin crew members.
CIAC’s aviation campus is positioned to become the country’s leading source of qualified aviation professionals. It aims to contribute significantly to the Philippines’ role in addressing the global shortage of skilled workers in the industry. The development of the campus follows the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) efforts, led by Undersecretary Roberto Lim, to partner with aviation schools and establish programs that encourage young Filipinos to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace.
Lim highlighted the importance of initiatives like the upcoming Asia Pacific Aviation Campus in Clark, the Airbus Competence Training Academy, and the Philippine State College of Aeronautics’ national aviation campus. He emphasized the unique opportunity presented by the current global shortage of aviation personnel, especially for those seeking long-term careers in the field.
The aviation campus will offer technical skills training colleges, research centers, flight operations facilities, and advanced simulation technologies. It is set to become a hub for innovation and excellence in aviation education. Clark is already home to some of the world’s largest Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) providers, including SIA Engineering, Lufthansa Technik, and Metrojet Engineering, strengthening the Philippines’ position in the regional aviation industry.