Expansion at Lahore airport

[hassan khan]

Can I know that when will the expansion project at Lahore airport be completed (exact date) and when will it be able to handle the Airbus A380.

[virk]

no expansion any time soon my friend

[riz]

380.

[Moin]

Pakistan/CAA is anti-A380. Probably the only country in the world that is, which I find surprising because I don't think they have anything to worry about. Its not like airlines are beating down their doors to send the A380 here.

[riz]

i dont know whether i read on this forum or somehere else that EK offered to modernize and enhance KHI airport for this plane but i am not sure.

[Moin]

Yes that was mentioned sometime back but 'they' refused it and turned them down.

[Abbas Ali]

Lahore Airport terminal building future expansion plans include installation of new passenger boarding bridges and improvement of infrastructure to accommodate Airbus A380 flights.

A related notice given by CAA appeared in October 10, 2008 newspaper. I guess Lahore Airport terminal building expansion project will start after completion of Lahore city ring road project section near airport. After completion of ring road project near the airport it will be more easy to move heavy construction material/vehicles for airport building expansion project.



Abbas

[KHI747]

i dont know whether i read on this forum or somehere else that EK offered to modernize and enhance KHI airport for this plane but i am not sure.

Yes that was mentioned sometime back but 'they' refused it and turned them down.

Yes i mentioned here earlier that i met a 2 member delegation of CAA at a lounge in AUH and subsequently we flew on the same flight to BRU on EY.They were travelling to Brussels to clear up the PIA mess with EU back in 2006.One of the gentleman was the second in command for CAA and we had a long chat in our 5 hour lay over in AUH and yes among the many things we discussed,he clearly mentioned how EK offered to upgrade the taxiways and other infrastructure in KHI to make it A380 compliant.

But as Moin already pointed out,Pakistan has the unique distinction of being actively anti A380.The CAA of Pakistan in their infinite wisdom did actually turn down EK's offer (a shocking truth but the CAA chief sounded quite proud of their visionary act)

As for any expansion at LHE,are you kidding me?!I mean that airport is hardly gridlocked - in fact they would do well to utilize/maximize their present airport that handles a poor 3-3.5 million pax a year.

[Moin]

CAA chief sounded quite proud of their visionary act

You were too polite not to react and say anything. Had it been me instead of you, he would have heard some stark, blunt facts and opinions regarding their draconian 'visions'.

[Abbas Ali]

As for any expansion at LHE,are you kidding me?!I mean that airport is hardly gridlocked - in fact they would do well to utilize/maximize their present airport that handles a poor 3-3.5 million pax a year.

At peak rush hour when 3-4 international flights specially widebody aircraft flights are leaving or arriving, international departures/arrivals areas of Lahore Airport do become congested.

In year 2007, the then Director General CAA Farooq Rehmatullah also mentioned it when he gave presentation to Pakistan's Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production on matters related to Pakistan's Aviation Policy.

Mr. Rehmatullah said:

even new Airports like Lahore are choked if it is more than one big body aircraft lands there, we have serious problems and we need to invest even in our airport facility.

The complete text can be read on following link:

Link: Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production - Meetings

[TAILWIND]

Do they really need expansion? On a number of times, while transiting at LHE, mine used to be the only aircraft parked lonely at AIIAP for hours with no other aircraft in site. I dont think that we should spend anymore of taxpayers money on expansion of this mosntor with hardly any traffic. Sad its coming from one who has spent over 3 dacades in aviation yet this is unfortumately true. On another tangent, why should governemnt bail out PIA's 170 bn losses through taxpayers money for a service which is used by elite only. 70 % paksitanis earn less than the one way fare from ISB to KHI. These 170 bn be better spent on hospitals, schools and other infrastructure. Let PIA manage its own affairs else sink if it be that.

[bernyjee]

International arrival at Lahore must be congested with multiple arrivals. A few years ago, I noticed only two immigrtion counters. One reserved for foreign passport holders and one for Green Pakistanis. If they have not expanded that capacity, it must be an issue.

The situation at KHI was also not much different until late 80s, when it had a very congested and small arrival with very few immigration counters (2 or 3 if I remember). But now its certainly much better. Since they have added more immigration and customs desks and the queues are not as bad.

As far as 380 is concerned, they can land at all major airports like KHI, LHE, ISB and even Sialkot (with the longest runway in Pakistan). However, I doubt if KHI or LHE have the capacity for parallel boarding or disembarkment (putting two jetties on top of each other).

I wonder why EY and EK were even thinking (or may think if it was all true) to fly A380 to either KHI or LHE considering a very short flight from DXB or AUH. Unless they are hell bent on destroying their aircraft by adding such short cycles to it. Flying 777 on such short routes is a disaster. 380 is an inter-continental aircraft and not a regional or local one.

[uetflyer]

while transiting at LHE, mine used to be the only aircraft parked lonely at AIIAP for hours with no other aircraft in site. I dont think that we should spend anymore of taxpayers money on expansion of this mosntor

My experiences at LHE are just the same. Any congestion is down to staff inefficiency and not facilities.

[riz]

My experiences at LHE are just the same. Any congestion is down to staff inefficiency and not facilities.

partially true.

[riz]

instead of expanding LHE, govt. should put some more money into ISBs new airport and immediately drop the idea of shifting engg. base to ISB as it will create a hell lot of complications for the airine. no wonder.

KHi also need some refurbishments on facilities and infrastructure.
KHI has the potential for a dialy 380 instead of 4-5 773s or a333s or a mix up of these. i think carriers like EK and EY are more "brainy" and they must have had recognized the potential of this market thats why they offered such a huge money consuming project for KHI. the day PIA will get back to the old trends will be the day we will get our glorious airline back.