Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has signed an agreement with Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD), the operator and manager of Clark International Airport, to expand and upgrade the company’s gateway in Clark, Pampanga.

The new facility will offer enhanced capabilities to benefit local businesses looking to amplify their presence in international markets and support the growing demand for e-commerce, freight, and cold-chain shipments across the Asia Pacific region.

To demonstrate their support for the expansion, Joshua Bingcang, president and chief executive for Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Arrey Perez, president of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), and Noelle Meneses, vice president for business development and business enhancement at Clark Development Corporation (CDC) attended the signing ceremony at the FedEx Gateway.

When complete, the new FedEx facility will be more than double the size of its current facility and is expected to further boost support for both importers and exporters including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and heavy-weight freight shippers with greater and more reliable access to and from international markets.

International cargo hub

The expansion aligns with the vision of BCDA, CDC, and LIPAD to transform Clark International Airport (CRK) into a premier global civil aviation logistics hub for international cargo.

The planned establishment of additional facilities, such as aprons and taxiways, will facilitate FedEx operations enabling better handling of cargo and fostering growth in the logistics sector.

These developments are expected to bring economic benefits to the northern Luzon region, providing job opportunities for the local community and serving as an economic stimulus in the region.

Maribeth Espinosa, managing director of FedEx Philippines, said: “We are pleased to sign this agreement that symbolises our intent to kick-start the expansion of our gateway at Clark.

“Since our establishment in 1984 in the Philippines, we remain committed to continuously enhancing our network and service offerings to support the growing needs of our customers and strengthen their connection to overseas markets.

“This expansion is a testament to our strong commitment in facilitating cross-border trade and optimizing the country’s supply chain capabilities.”

Manankil said: “We proudly celebrate this collaboration with FedEx Philippines for their Clark Gateway expansion within the LIPAD project land.

“This landmark agreement embodies our unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable development and economic vitality in the region, ensuring a brighter future for us, and for the whole community.”

Supporting e-commerce growth

In October 2021, FedEx first unveiled its gateway in Clark to boost support for local businesses and e-commerce growth.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the 17,000 sqm facility can sort up to 9,000 parcels per hour and enables FedEx to provide customers with reliable service more efficiently.

The facility’s dedicated freight-handling area spans 630 sqm.

In October 2023, FedEx launched a new flight service between Vietnam and the Philippines with improved transit time, supporting the growth in trade volumes between both markets.

The continuous introduction of enhanced and differentiated portfolio of solutions from FedEx will enable Philippine businesses to capture more import and export opportunities.

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