Karachi : Air Transport Infrastructure Upgradation to Continue in 2024 and Beyond.
The following projects have been completed at a cost of approximately 18. 0 billion Pakistani Rupees:
- Reconstruction and Upgradation of Main Runway at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore – The main runway was reconstructed and upgraded to allow Category F aircraft. Normal flight operations resumed on July 29, 2022.
- Reconstruction of Rigid Runway at Faisalabad International Airport – The old runway was rebuilt as a new concrete runway, and flight operations began on May 31, 2023. The new runway has an installed Airfield Lighting System of Category 1.
- Re-Construction of Rigid Runway at Quetta Int’l Airport – The old runway was reconstructed and upgraded for Category E (777) Operations. It was completed, and flight operations began on May 31, 2023. The new runway has an installed Airfield Lighting System of Category 2.
Projects Anticipated to be Completed in the Near Future:
- Muridke Aerodrome Project – A new general aviation aerodrome is being constructed near Muridke. Upon completion, the current Walton Aerodrome will be relocated here. By March 2024, the airside infrastructure, including the runway, apron, taxiways, and hangars is planned to be operational.
- New Gwadar International Airport – The new Gwadar International Airport is now under construction at a cost of 51billion Pakistani Rupees, which includes a Chinese grant of approximately 34 billion Pakistani Rupees. It is anticipated that the airport will be completed by August 2024.
Projects in the Pipeline:
The following new projects are currently in the pipeline for the year 2024 and beyond.
- Expansion of Terminal Building and Allied Facilities at Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP), Lahore.
Expansion of AIIAP is planned to address congestion, passenger discomfort, and future growth. The construction contract is currently being awarded. The project is expected to be completed in thirty months.
- Re-Construction of Main Runway (07l/25R) at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi
The main runway will be reconstructed and upgraded to accommodate aircraft of category F.
- Expansion and Upgradation of Begum Nusrat Bhutto Airport, Sukkur
It is planned to upgrade the existing airport to an international airport for Cat E (777) operations.
finalization of the runway, apron, new terminal building, and other infrastructure designs is underway. Land acquisition for the construction of a new terminal building, new apron, and runway extension is also underway. It is estimated that the project will be completed in 36 months and runway, taxiway, apron and airside infrastructure including new terminal building will cost roughly 40 billion Pakistani Rupees. Project PC1 is in the final stage of review for approval.
- Construction of New Greenfield Airport in D. I. Khan
The airport is planned to be constructed at a new site. It will serve the populations of southern KPK, northern Baluchistan, and western Punjab as a Cat E (777) regional international airport. The estimated construction period is four years, and the exact cost will be determined by the consultant after undertaking feasibility study and design which will cost about 200 million Pakistani Rupees.
- Construction of New Air Traffic Control Tower & Fire Station at JIAP – Karachi
To meet the demands of modern air traffic control, PCAA plans to build a modern Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) along with a Fire Station at Jinnah International Airport.
- Upgradation of External / Internal roads at JIAP – Karachi
The external and internal roads at Jinnah International Airport are planned to be upgraded as future planning to avoid congestion and to facilitate passengers’ movements.
- Upgradation of Taxiway Charlie & Extension of Jet Apron at MIAP – Multan
Multan International Airport is planned to be upgraded with upgradation of existing Charlie and Alpha Taxiway, rigid apron extension including apron edge lights, apron flood light tower, storm water drainage system and repair of old jet apron.
- Construction of Multi Storey Car Park at BKIAP – Peshawar
Bacha khan International Airport (BKIAP) is the fourth busiest airport in Pakistan. PCAA has upgraded the Passenger Terminal Building and allied external works at BKIAP in 2020. PCAA faced parking issues at BKIAP due to unavailability of land for existing car parking expansion. Currently public vehicles are parked outside the airport which causes inconvenience to the passengers and public visiting the Airport. Later PCAA also planned to upgrade the car parking facility and construct Multi Level Car Park by utilizing the existing Car Park and the adjacent areas of existing ASF Camp. To construct Multi level car park, PCAA will relocate existing ASF camp to new location for which PCAA has acquired a land of approximately three acres at main Bara Road, Peshawar. Design work of ASF camp and car park has already started.