ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has inaugurated state-of-the-art new Islamabad International Airport today, after days of delays.
According to Civil Aviation Authority, first incoming flight of Pakistan International Airlines will come from Karachi while first flight of the national airline will depart for Karachi at 12.30 p.m.
New Islamabad International Airport spans over an area of 4238 acres of land, and it is the first green field airport of the country. The airport is equipped with latest technology, says the CAA.
It has a passenger friendly terminal, two runways, three taxiways and a cargo apron which can accommodate large and small aircrafts.
The airport has a modular design which enables it to handle nine million passengers and 50,000 metric tons of cargo initially.
At the inauguration, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the Governors Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, minister for Information & Broadcasting, Adviser Civil Aviation Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan and Mayor Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz.
International carriers, including Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, China Airlines, Oman Air, Etihad Airways, Saudi Airways, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways and Turkish Airlines, will operate flights to and from Islamabad along with PIA, Shaheen Air and Air Blue.
Finally the moment has come. The inaugural flight #PK300 has departed to New Islamabad International Airport from Karachi. #A320 AP-BLB. @Official_PIA @pid_gov @flightradar24 @DanyalGilani @aftabgilani73 @AirportPakistan @PCAAOfficial @JetPhotos @raisinganchor @Ahmadhoter pic.twitter.com/JQymY9fKU7
— QasimFromFaisalabad (@Happpy206) May 1, 2018
According to reports, PK-300 would be the only commercial flight that would land at the new airport on the day of inauguration The complete flight operations will be shifted to the new airport on 3rd May.
The passengers of the first flight would be welcomed by PIA President and Chief Executive Officer Musharraf Rasool Cyan.
Yesterday PIA also announced on Twitter that they will be the first airline on land on the new airport runway.
One day to go! Are you ready for PIA’s inaugural flight to the New Islamabad International Airport?! You will get memorabilia for this special flight, along with special flight meals & the finest in–flight services! So, don’t miss out & stay tuned! #PIA #NewPIA #FirstFlightIIAP pic.twitter.com/HPbF93WvFH
— PIA (@Official_PIA) April 30, 2018
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