'New Islamabad airport to become operational in April'

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to prime minister on aviation Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan on Monday affirmed that the New Islamabad International Airport would be operational in April this year.

The advisor while visiting and inspecting different facilities of the new airport before initial operations, said that no comprise on airport quality standards will be tolerated and no further delay will be made.

The aviation advisor was given a detailed briefing about the operational readiness and the latest technology installed at new airport. Several officials of aviation division, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Airport Security Force (ASF), and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were also present.

The new airport would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs. 85 billion. It has two runways and will cater to an estimated nine million passengers per annum.

The airport is equipped with state of the art facilities and equipment including modern aerobridges, radar, landing and airfield lighting system. It would have fifteen passenger boarding bridges and a vast parking area.

The advisor also said that new airport would be a great milestone in the history of Pakistan aviation, and will provide best facilities of international standards to valued customers. During his visit, he also planted Cassia Nodosa tree, a subspecies of the apple blossom tree at new airport.