Multibillion-rupee airport upgrade drive launched
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has embarked on a multibillion-rupee expansion and modernisation drive across the country as it completes two years since its establishment, with major projects including the completion of the New Gwadar International Airport and reconstruction of Karachi airport's main runway, alongside major expansion schemes in Lahore and Skardu.
According to a PAA spokesperson, the authority now manages 26 operational airports and provides facilities to more than 22 million passengers annually.
The New Gwadar International Airport has been completed at a cost of Rs55 billion, while Karachi airport's main runway has been reconstructed at a cost of Rs10 billion.
The authority has also completed the rehabilitation and upgradation of the airports at Dera Ismail Khan, Parachinar and Turbat.
Major expansion projects are under way at Lahore and Skardu airports, with Rs43 billion allocated for the Lahore project and Rs70 billion for the development programme at Skardu.
The PAA said Islamabad airport had also been converted into the country's first fully cashless airport.
Among other major projects being undertaken by the authority are a cargo village at Karachi airport, a new air traffic control tower at Peshawar airport and a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Islamabad airport.
Billions of rupees are also being spent on modern security-screening systems, e-gates and air traffic management systems as part of efforts to modernise airport infrastructure and improve passenger services.
Looking ahead, the authority is considering the development of new greenfield airports at Sukkur, Faisalabad and Dera Ismail Khan. The PAA has also secured a significant increase in its development budget for fiscal year 2026-27, with an allocation of more than Rs69 billion, representing a 110 per cent increase.
The authority said the projects were aimed at improving airport infrastructure, expanding capacity, strengthening operational efficiency and upgrading passenger facilities across the country.