Islamabad’s new airport to cater to 9 million passengers per year

Officials briefed Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on facilitation for passengers during his visit to new Islamabad International Airport on April 13, 2018. (Photo courtesy: Press Information Department)

• A Pakistan International Airlines test flight landed on April 7
• It is spread over 19 sq km

ISLAMABAD: The new Islamabad International Airport, with its 90 immigration counters, can cater to 9 million passengers per year, said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The airport, completed at an estimated cost of 85 billion Pakistani rupees ($735.3 million), will be formally inaugurated on April 20 for regular international and domestic flights.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi visited it on Friday.

Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, Abbasi’s adviser on aviation, and senior CAA officials briefed the prime minister about the airport’s facilities.

On April 7, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) test flight landed at the airport to ensure its operational capabilities.

The airport is spread over 19 sq km, with two runways — each 3.5 km long — and 15 passenger boarding bridges.