Plan to Develop Central Business District on Walton Aerodrome Land

[Abbas Ali]

Former Secretary Aviation and Chairman PIA Squadron Leader (Retired) Muhammad Irfan Elahi has been nominated for the post of Chairman Central Business District (CBD) Development Authority to be developed on Walton Aerodrome land in Lahore.

Abbas

[Inam855]

Astonishing how a handful of "aviation masterminds" successfully keep running our commercial aviation into the ground and still keep getting top posts, perks and privileges. Have the geniuses in establishment division ever sent a single person abroad for aviation management training?

[Abbas Ali]

Federal Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan has de-notified Walton Aerodrome for the development of Central Business District (CBD) on aerodrome land, informed Federal Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain at a press briefing today. Walton Aerodrome was preventing construction of high rise buildings in the area, informed the minister.

Apparently, the de-notification of Walton Aerodrome means developers will be able to prepare/submit construction plans for high rise buildings without seeking Pakistan CAA NOC. The aerodrome will continue to function for the time being.

Land has been allocated outside Lahore for development of a greenfield aerodrome for general aviation aircraft. Walton Aerodrome operations will be shifted to the new aerodrome.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Central Business District (CBD) development work to start in a month, said Prime Minister Imran Khan today.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Today, federal cabinet meeting approved establishment of business centre over 318 acres of land in Walton in eighteen months.

Apparently, it means Walton Aerodrome will remain active on this piece of land for about eighteen more months.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to news sources, federal cabinet has approved closure of Walton Aerodrome and issued notification.

Abbas

[gooner]

Didn't LFC file a lawsuit against WBD? Any update on that?

[Abbas Ali]

According to news sources:

So far, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has not received government notification on the closure of Walton Aerodrome.

Flight operations continued at the aerodrome on April 28.

https://e.jang.com.pk/04-29-2021/lahore ... =04_07.png

Today, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting to discuss Central Business District (CBD) to be developed on Walton Aerodrome land. Prime Minister was informed about the launching of the first phase of CBD, consultations with project investors and proposed future plans for the project.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Lahore Central Business District advertisement in May 22 newspaper:



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to news sources:

Pakistan CAA has issued notification for the closure of Walton Aerodrome in Lahore.

Aircraft operators/flight schools/flying clubs have been advised to ground their aircraft at the aerodrome.

Flight operations at the aerodrome will end on May 25.



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to news sources:

Today, historic Walton Aerodrome was closed.

Training flights temporarily shifted from Walton Aerodrome to Lahore Airport.

Construction of new aerodrome for general aviation in Muridke will be completed in six to seven months after completion of tender/bidding process.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to news sources:

Flight schools/flying clubs have refused to vacate Walton Aerodrome.

More than fifty general aviation aircraft are parked at Walton Aerodrome.

Around 200 student pilots were taking flying lessons at Walton Aerodrome.

Abbas

[Inam855]

Were they all sleeping when the prime minister approved the decision? They were all napping soundly when the surrounding area was slowly digested by housing societies under the guise of "security" - there's no point being in the middle of a densely populated area any more. Meanwhile, hats off to the CAA for issuing a notification knowing fully well there are daily operations there. CAA has an airport manager, a "control tower" if you can call it that, yet still issuing this kind of notification smells of foul play.

[gooner]

Were they all sleeping when the prime minister approved the decision? They were all napping soundly when the surrounding area was slowly digested by housing societies under the guise of "security" - there's no point being in the middle of a densely populated area any more. Meanwhile, hats off to the CAA for issuing a notification knowing fully well there are daily operations there. CAA has an airport manager, a "control tower" if you can call it that, yet still issuing this kind of notification smells of foul play.

The government planned and approved a project without even consulting the major stakeholders at Walton. All decisions are being taken from the very top level. Being in the middle of a densely populated area is no excuse for moving the aerodrome. GA airports are mostly in the midst of a densely populated area, there's a reason for that too.
The WBD is just another pointless project in the name of foreign investment. I hate being political here but if only the govt could initiate such projects for GA, the aviation industry would actually boom.

[Abbas Ali]

Protest staged at Liberty Roundabout Park in Lahore against closure of Walton Aerodrome. Instructors and students took part in the protest.





Abbas