ISLAMABAD: New Islamabad International Airport is likely to become operational by the end of December this year after completion of a link road and baggage handling section.
According to an official source, the airport will cater to 15 million domestic and foreign passengers every year. A new metro bus route is also being built along the Kashmir Highway for the convenience of passengers coming from Islamabad.
Earlier, the government wanted to inaugurate the airport on August 14 but the project was delayed due to slow construction of a road leading up to the airport.
The cost of the airport, whose construction started in 2006, has escalated significantly from the initial Rs 37 billion to a whopping Rs 100 billion.
Built over an area of 3571 acres, the airport has two runways. Further planned expansion will allow it to serve up to 25 million passengers every year.
The terminal of the airport included 15 gates with ten remote gates, a four start hotel, duty free shops, food court and 42 immigration counters.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) plans to acquire more land around the airport for its expansion in future.
The main features of airport infrastructure includes main and emergency runways, taxiways and apron for parking of 28 aircraft, 15 passenger boarding bridges, cargo apron for parking of three aircraft, state apron for parking of two aircraft and aircraft maintenance apron.
Over the years, the construction work of the project was delayed due to multiple reasons and mismanagement. Poor road access and water shortages caused delay in the construction of the project, but the issue of water has been addressed with the construction of Rama and Khasana dams which will conserve rain water.
Besides the Civil Aviation Authority has also dug 12 wells to ensure water supply for the airport.
According to an official of CAA,the airport has numerous allied facilities including airfield lighting system, navigational aids, hydrant refuel system, air traffic control, radio and radar building, water works, sewerage treatment plant and a cargo complex.
Likewise, the Passenger Terminal Building had many systems installed for modem day airport operations. The new Islamabad International Airport would be able to handle all modern commercial aircraft including big commercial airplanes of Airbus and Boeing.
The airport will be the first greenfield airport in Pakistan as well as the first to be capable of handling Airbus A380. The airport will replace the old Benazir International Airport located in the congested area of Rawalpindi.
