The Clark Freeport Zone is set to solidify its position as a premier aviation hub following a major investment from a leading industry player. The Asian Aerospace Corporation (AAC) is pouring ₱243.2 million into expanding its operations within the zone, a move hailed as a significant boost for the country's aviation safety and technical services sector.
Sealing the Deal for a Larger Facility
Officials from AAC and the state-owned Clark Development Corporation (CDC) recently formalized this expansion through a memorandum of agreement. The pact, signed by CDC President Agnes Devanadera and AAC Chief Executive Officer Peter Rodriguez, grants the company a 1,848-square-meter facility to consolidate its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations.
CDC President Devanadera underscored the critical nature of AAC's work, linking it directly to passenger safety. "The work that you do is critical to aviation safety. Proper maintenance of aircraft components saves lives, and that is why Asian Aerospace is important not only to Clark, but to the Philippines and the world," she stated during the signing ceremony.
Building In-Country Capability and High-Value Jobs
CEO Peter Rodriguez emphasized AAC's nationwide mandate, revealing that the company has been responsible for calibrating 87 airports across the Philippines over the past four administrations. "Without calibration, aerodromes cannot operate safely," Rodriguez pointed out, highlighting a core service for the government.
"This is one of the sensitive services we provide for the Philippine government, along with servicing airport rescue firefighting equipment nationwide," he added. "These operations build in-country capability and create high-value jobs for Filipinos." The new Clark facility will not only handle calibration and maintenance but will also function as an Aircraft Factory Service Center, supporting:
- Aircraft components and avionics
- Environmental control systems
- Other related technical services
These specialized operations require extensive training, licensing, and certification, ensuring sustained demand for a skilled local aviation workforce.
Strengthening Clark's Aviation Ecosystem
The CDC views this expansion as a strategic piece in developing Clark's integrated aviation ecosystem. The project is designed to create synergy where maintenance and technical services complement airport operations, meeting the growing industry demand for specialized engineers, technicians, and safety personnel.
Founded in 1996, AAC has been operating in Clark since 2002. The company maintains a fleet of business jets and helicopters and acts as an authorized service center for major aircraft manufacturers and airport equipment providers. Its nationwide flight calibration and maintenance services ensure that navigation systems, runways, and critical safety equipment at over 87 airports meet stringent operational standards.
This ₱243.2-million investment marks a vote of confidence in Clark's potential and is a concrete step toward enhancing the Philippines' self-reliance in the highly technical and safety-critical field of aviation.
