New Islamabad Airport to be operational in Q1 2018

ISLAMABAD: New Islamabad International Airport (NIIAP) is scheduled to be operational in the first quarter of 2018, a top official said on Monday.

“We are always committed to elevate the standards of aviation and it is our foremost priority to upgrade the human resource development, and to exalt all airports to ensure the safety measures of passengers,” Prime Minister’s Advisor on Aviation Mehtab Khan told journalists.

“NIIAP is scheduled to be inaugurated in first quarter of 2018, whereas construction of Gwadar Airport will be started in March 2018,” he said.

“The expansion of Allama Iqbal International Airport, and up gradation of Bacha khan Peshawar Airport, Faisalabad and Quetta International Airport, will also be made in 2018.”

The PM advisor said there has been complete revamping of the air navigation system, up-gradation and extension of civil airports and acquisition of state of the art security equipment.

“Radars with enhanced coverage have already been installed along with ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast) systems, which shall be completed by mid-2018,” he added.

Multan International Airport has been expanded and new boarding bridges have been installed at Jinnah International Airport Karachi.

Meanwhile, Khan, addressing the 11th meeting of directors general of civil aviation of the developing-8 (D-8) organisation, emphasised on fostering sustained, peaceful and unifying ties between the civil aviation authorities of D-8 member states to improve regional economy and people’s living standards.

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) hosted the D-8 forum, representing Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. An objective of D-8 forum is to create new opportunities in trade relationship between the member states.

Asim Suleiman, director general of CAA, called for cooperation through coordinated, integrated and allied collaboration amongst D-8 member states in all spheres of civil aviation.

“It is essential to progress and move forward globally from ‘developing’ to ‘developed’ civil aviation activities,” Suleiman said in a statement.

He said the forum must play its part in joint safety and security spheres.

Ali Mohammad Mousavi, secretary general of D-8 organisation highlighted the increased role of countries in improving the economic position of the member states.

The participants appreciated the bold initiatives taken by the present government to ensure safety of aircraft, facilitation to the travelling passengers and ensuring their safety and security.

They said projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would substantially increase the demand of domestic/international flights, in addition to passenger and cargo services, which will consequently give more boost to the civil aviation sector.

The two-day meeting provides an opportunity to aviation industry and government authorities to participate and meet the key-decision makers from the D-8 countries.