Clark International Airport Underground Train Nears Completion in 2025

Looks like traffic woes en route to the airport may soon be eased, thanks to the planned underground train station at Clark International Airport (the airport code is “CRK,” which you’ll see on tickets and airport signs). The station will be part of the North–South Commuter Railway’s (NSCR) PNR Clark Phase 2 — described by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as the country’s first airport railway express service.

Clark International Airport in Mabalacat, Pampanga opened its new terminal in 2021 as part of plans to accommodate more passengers. With the railway project progressing and strategic infrastructure pushing forward, CRK is poised to become even more accessible for Filipino travellers.

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About the station

This new underground station will rise right in front of Clark International Airport as part of the PNR Clark Phase 2 segment, which spans about 53 km from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga. The rail segment includes six stations: Calumpit, Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles, Clark, and the Clark International Airport station itself.

While earlier reports once suggested a 2025 completion, the latest DOTr planning now points toward partial operations beginning around 2027, with continued phased implementation as the project progresses.

Once operational, the railway will link Metro Manila to Clark in a significantly shorter time — far quicker than the current two-to-three-hour bus ride — while easing congestion on major roads.

Aside from reducing travel time, the NSCR project is also expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions and generate jobs for workers, OFWs, and people in the transport sector.

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Other local railway projects

Meanwhile, Phase 1 of the North–South Commuter Railway — connecting Malolos and Tutuban in Manila — continues steady progress. Eventually, a third phase will extend the railway from Tutuban down to Calamba, Laguna, aiming to complete a Luzon‑wide commuter rail network. Together, these segments are designed to transform intercity travel across the island using both modern infrastructure and upgraded historic Philippine National Railway stations.

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Clark International Airport was previously recognised as a finalist for the Prix Versailles Architecture and Design Awards under the Airport category, highlighting its modern design and cultural connections to Pampanga.

With the NSCR train line now aiming for partial operation by around 2027, travellers can look forward to faster, smoother, and more convenient journeys between Metro Manila and Pampanga in the coming years.

All images credited to Clark International Airport | Official Facebook Page