New Quetta airport runway can land wide-body plane

Airfield to host Boeing 777 airplane, ensure ease of travel for passengers

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Wednesday inaugurated the newly built runway and a lounge at Quetta International Airport and lauded Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and national institutions for working and “moving in the right direction”.

“PIA and Pakistan Air Force have taught flying to other nations and supported them in establishing aviation industry,” Kamal said while addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the new runway and international lounge, adding that the country’s doctors, bankers and engineers have greatly contributed in development of other states while flaws plagued local institutions.

Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Senator Manzoor Khan Kakar, provincial ministers and PIA officials were also present in the ceremony.

Kamal said the new runway will have the capacity to host Boing 777 airplane in Quetta while facilities will also be provided to pilgrims and tourists.

The CM lauded the construction of the international lounge and said the importance of Quetta and Gwadar airports was increasing following the Chinese investment in the province.

“In order to deal with the current challenges, we have to equip our children and youth with modern, technical education because lack of interest and negligence has already harmed our government institutions,” he further said, adding that the incumbent provincial government was completing development schemes which were pending since 2001.

Meanwhile, the federal minister also laid foundation of the mega runway for operations of Boeing-777 aircraft and said airports were considered as vital ‘economic & strategic’ assets.

Sarwar said the federal government was taking all possible measures for progress and prosperity of the Balochistan province.

“Development of aviation sector is government’s top priority to ensure regional connectivity and bring direct economic benefits to Quetta airport - which handles about 500,000 passengers annually,” he said.

Currently, the minister said, as many as 38 flights were coming to Quetta airport on a weekly basis. (WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2020.