AirAsia Incorporated, the Philippine-based affiliate of the AirAsia Group, has chosen Clark as its hub in the country.

The airline, which announced its set up last December, will be basing its operations at Clark’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport from the fourth quarter of 2011.

“Our choice of Clark underlines the airline’s commitment to developing transportation and tourism hubs outside Manila,” said Marianne Hontiveros, chief executive of AirAsia, Inc.

“This is part of our plan to contribute to the development of the country as a whole.

“AirAsia, Inc., is excited to start contributing to the economy of Clark and the rest of the country by boosting tourism and offering job opportunities to Filipinos.”

Clark is located just north of Manila and is easily accessible to 23 million people from the National Capital Region and Central and Northern Luzon.

It is also where the airline’s sister company, Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad, has been flying to from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu since 2005.

“We plan to make Clark the hub for flights to popular destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Korea and Japan,” added Ms Hontiveros

“Travel will become much easier and more affordable for tourists and overseas Filipino workers.”

Hontiveros, Antonio Cojuangco Jr. and Michael Romero own 60 per cent of AirAsia, Inc. in equal partnership.

The remaining 40 per cent is owned by AirAsia Berhad.