The New International Islamabad Airport will be completed at a 170 percent escalated cost of Rs 100 billion against the initial PC-I estimate of Rs 37 billion. Air traffic would increase manifold and the new airport is projected to serve over 15 million passengers every year in the first phase. This was told by senior officials in Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to Business Recorder.
The officials further contended that many requests have been received from international airlines especially from Gulf airlines to increase their air traffic, but they could not be accommodated in the Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) lacks facilities including landing/taking off space, runway, parking area for aero planes as well as passenger lounge.
BBIA currently has a 4.7 million annual turnover of passengers, but once the new Islamabad airport becomes operational, it will increase the turnover to 15 million per annum in the first phase. The new Islamabad airport will share the burden of Bacha Khan International Airport (Peshawar) which is overcrowded due to congested space and limited facilities. The traffic will be diverted to the new airport since the two cities are linked via Motorway. It is estimated that the new airport will cater to rising passengers' requirements for the next 35 years easily.
The official further told that the new airport will revamp the image of Pakistan in international market and this will help in capacity building while inviting new airlines on board which will also increase revenue. Currently, the BBIA has 20 check-in counters and parking place for 400 vehicles. The new airport has 90 check-in counters and parking facility for 2,000 vehicles.
Another official of CAA revealed that 95 percent of the work related to building of new airport is complete and will be operational on August 14, as committed by the Prime Minister to the nation. Roads and other bus routes are under construction for which the government has allocated over Rs 16 billion. Metro bus which was not part of the new airport has been included with a view to facilitate access of commuters to and from the airport. This will be completed by 14 August as well, he added. The new airport is Greenfield airport with latest technology up to international standards, has hotels, retail activities and up-to-date infrastructure which will accommodate potential airlines in a better way, he added.
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