CAA income from Allama Iqbal Airport improves

Since shifting of air operations at new terminal complex of Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore, the income of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has visibly improved.
Allama Iqbal International Airport Director Nusrat Ullah Khan stated this, while talking to newsmen at a function organised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in connection with the first anniversary of the airport on Thursday night.
During last one-year, the new airport has generated an income of Rs 1,400 million, while the per annum earning at the old airport was Rs 1,286 million.
However, he said that the earning was still below the desired level and that was why the authority was looking for mega projects like establishment of a business centre, petrol pump and hotels, etc, around the airport to generate more income.
About the number of aircraft movement, he said, it had improved from 77,400 to 86,640 on international routes and from 141,240 to 160,800 on domestic side during the last one-year.
Likewise, the number of international and domestic passengers has increased from 644,247 to 732,879 and 607,087 to 656,765, respectively.
About cargo handling, he said, it had also showed improvement and during the last one-year, the cargo handling at the international and domestic routes come to 11,420 metric tonnes and 10,825 metric tonnes respectively, as compared to 10,568 metric tonnes and 9,562 metric tonnes at the old airport.
To a question about the arrival of more airlines, he said that Singapore Airlines could resume its operations.
Moreover, last year Swiss Air had contacted the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for starting operations from Lahore, but so far it had not intimated in black and white. About British Airways, he said, "If it comes to Lahore we will welcome it."
He also appealed to the passengers to take care of saplings planted at the airport to ensure its beautification.
Nusrat also informed newsmen that classes at the newly established Civil Aviation Public School have started.
Later, the airport director cut a cake to celebrate the first anniversary of the new terminal that started its operations on March 18, 2003.
Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), airlines and other agencies operating at the airport, elite of the city and newsmen largely attended the function.