New Islamabad Airport: Minister directs CAA to complete work swiftly

Pledges best standards and multiple facilities for passengers.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to speed up completion of civil, mechanical and electrical works on the New Islamabad International Airport.

“Cargo operation should start first to pave the way for the launch of the new airport,” he said while chairing a high-level meeting on the new airport at the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform.



The meeting was attended by high officials of the CAA, National Highway Authority and Planning Commission.

“We are determined to complete this airport on time and bring best standards and facilities for the passengers,” he added, while emphasising the importance of quality commercial activities.

“There should be shopping arcades of international standard, cafes, restaurants to attract transit passengers, and there should also be enough space at the immigration and check-in counters to ensure a smooth passenger flow.”

Concerning the link roads, the minister sought clear timelines from relevant departments about their completion. For covering distance between the new airport and the centres of twin cities, Iqbal said a shuttle service would be started between the airport and the twin cities to cater to passenger movement.



He said project management and leadership should not be compromised in mega development projects and called for inducting top professionals in respective areas. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2016.

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