The first test flight has landed successfully at the Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL). According to PTV, the Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL), a result of public private partnership is nearing completion and the formal inauguration of the joint public-private venture would be held soon.
The SIAL is situated 14 km west of Sialkot. Constructed on a 1,050 acre of area. The project was expected to cost Rs 1,500m along with Rs 230m (provided by the Government of Pakistan) to obtain the 1,050 acre site for the construction. The expenditure however, has already exceeded to over Rs 2,320 million.
It will handle around 143,000 passengers a year. The site offers excellent transport infrastructure with existing road links to Wazirabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Narowal, Sialkot City, Sialkot Export Processing Zone and Sialkot Dry Port.
The airport would cater the needs of the industrial triangle of Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Mirpur Azad Kashmir. The airport will bring a greater prosperity to the area and contribute to socio-economic development in the region.
An efficient cargo hub in the area has long been required as the it is a major export area in Pakistan for surgical instruments, leather goods, musical instruments, textiles and sports equipment. Construction of the airport was first approved in February 2001 by the President Pervez Musharraf.
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