This is with reference to the article titled ‘Murree tragedy and fractured state institutions’ printed in these columns on 11th January 2022. Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) sincerely believes that the article leaves informed reader wanting for more understanding because a task as big as building a new runway at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP), just cannot start all of a sudden. To begin with, the main runway at AIIAP was built in 1989 and has been in operation for 30 years, not 20. PCAA had planned for its reconstruction in 2018, repairing the alternate runway to continue flight operations, and finally commenced the actual reconstruction works in September 2020. Please note that the project also includes construction of three additional new taxiways and the ongoing works shall be completed in the next three months.
Furthermore, no expensive ILS system was uprooted: The Category – III Airfield lighting system (being reused), including cables and lights etc, was carefully removed by experts to facilitate the reconstruction of the runway and new taxiways. Moreover, all stakeholders were taken into confidence and Safety Assessments were carried out as mandated by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). At the same time, flight operations continue on the alternate runway and shall be switched back to the main runway as soon as work is completed.
Finally, weather phenomenon causing flight delays occur all around the globe and our country is no exception. In drawing to a close, PCAA reiterates its commitment to Flight Safety and sustained flight operations in the country.
Spokesperson, PCCA
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17, 2022.
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