Islamabad and Gwadar Airports to have latest facilities

[Abbas Ali]

RAWALPINDI, Apr 29 (APP): New airports at Islamabad and Gwadar will have state-of-the-art facilities while Pakistan International Airlines is to have a fleet of new aircraft as part of the government policy to promote tourism, trade and investment.

This was informed at two presentations made to President General Pervez Musharraf by Civil Aviation Authority and Pakistan International Airlines on Saturday.

Both the airports will have modern facilities at their terminals, runways, parking bays and other allied facilities and services like communication and other infrastructure.

In addition, the Multan Airport will also be modernized at a cost of Rs2.5 billion with a new terminal and extensive cold storage and cargo facilities. The refurbished Multan airport would be able to handle large passenger aircraft.

“The design of new Islamabad airport will be finalized by mid-May while construction work is expected to get underway by the end of the year,” Director General Air Marshal (retd) Pervez Nawaz told media persons, after the presentations.

The new Islamabad international airport will be greenfield, having best international standards. It would be completed in three years time at the estimated cost of Rs 18 billion. The land for the project has already been acquired.

The CAA is expected to secure possession of the land for the new Rs three billion Gwadar airport by the middle of next month. The Authority has invited reputed international companies for the design of the new airport and project management.

According to the Director General CAA, Gwadar will have open sky policy in the beginning aimed at attracting foreign investors and bolstering tourism for rapid development of Gwadar city.

Chairman PIA Tariq Kirmani, in his presentation, informed that the national flag carrier has shown remarkable improvement in its performance and revenues in the last few years.

He pointed out that despite soaring international oil prices, the PIA has increased its revenues by 11 per cent.

The fuel cost has impacted the PIA to the tune of Rs 8 billion in the last one year, rocketing from Rs 18 to 26 billion.

On improvement in quality of service, the Chairman said the complaints have reduced significantly lately.

The PIA plans to induct 29 new aircraft to replace the ageing fleet.

These include 12 latest 777 Boeing aircraft. Five of these wide-bodied, fuel-efficient and long-distance, aircraft have already been inducted and seven more will be included in the fleet in the next three years.

Besides, seven ATR, an airbus subsidiary, will also be part of the PIA fleet for domestic routes.

In his remarks, President General Pervez Musharraf emphasized that all stakeholders including passengers, employees and shareholders should benefit from improvement in PIA’s performance.

He directed the Pakistan International Airlines to further improve its efficiency and services of the national carrier to make it more competitive and profitable.

The President particularly urged the PIA management to raise the standard of services for passengers in order to capture greater market share in this era of intense international competition.

He also urged the national carrier and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to offer better facilities to pilgrims proceeding to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umra.

Minister for Defence Rao Sikander Iqbal and Minister for Religious Affairs Muhammad Ejaz ul Haq attended the presentations.

About provision of facilities at the airports, the President said these must be of international standards for efficient handling of growing domestic and international traffic.

The President was briefed about the construction of a new international airport for the capital and plans for building Gwadar airport.

President Musharraf said the new airports should be constructed futuristically and equipped with the latest technology to bolster tourism and trade.

“Pakistan is set to see an upsurge in both investment and tourism fields upon completion of new Gwadar deep sea port—therefore, our efforts must be to extend best facilities to local and foreign investors,” he said.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

[raihans]

Besides, seven ATR, an airbus subsidiary, will also be part of the PIA fleet for domestic routes.

Is ATR, an Airbus subsidiary

[Abbas Ali]

Besides, seven ATR, an airbus subsidiary, will also be part of the PIA fleet for domestic routes.

Is ATR, an Airbus subsidiary

I guess APP wanted to say EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). EADS has 50% share in ATR programme and 80% in Airbus programme.

[PK777]

Stop discussing and start building .... Is that company that won the bid for the new ISB airport still doing it ? I think it was called Louis Berger Group.

[PK777]

These include 12 latest 777 Boeing aircraft. Five of these wide-bodied, fuel-efficient and long-distance, aircraft have already been inducted and seven more will be included in the fleet in the next three years.

seven more B777 to come ?? I know we have four left so what are the options for the other three ?

[Imran Hassan]

I think EADS now has 100% stake in Airbus since BAE SYSTEMS sold their 20% stake 2 or 3 weeks ago.

[PK777]

whats the break down of the twelve B777 PIA is getting ??

[Abbas Ali]

whats the break down of the twelve B777 PIA is getting ??

8 x Boeing 777s - order placed by PIA in year 2002. The order included:

1. 3 x Boeing 777-240ER (delivered in 2004)

1. 2 x Boeing 777-240LR (delivered in 2006)

1. 3 x Boeing 777-340ER (due to be delivered)

[/i]
1 x Boeing 777-240ER - Agreement signed with ILFC to lease one brand new Boeing 777-240ER. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery to PIA in January 2007. (Related Link: PIA Leases One New Boeing 777-240ER From ILFC)

3 x Boeing 777-240ER/Boeing 777-240LR - According to airline officials, PIA will hold talks with ILFC to lease three brand new Boeing 777s.

[malpensa26]

DP World is interested in airport projects in PAK. this is the perfect oppurtunity to let DP build and operate the NEW ISB airport. but i doubt the gov would be smart enuff to take this route. DP would easily build a mini Dubai style airport in rapid time .

[PK777]

3 x Boeing 777-240ER/Boeing 777-240LR - According to airline officials, PIA will hold talks with ILFC to lease three brand new Boeing 777s.

I see thanks for that Abbas, but I read we were planning to get one of each of the B777 type. I mean instead of 3X B772Er/B772LR. The break down was;

1. 1 Boeing 772ER
   1 Boeing 772LR (might have been 2)
   1 Boeing 773ER

I guess nothing certain just yet...so will have to see

[alirizvi]

thats great news, maybe we'll see a new livery with the arrival of the remaining 777's in 2007

[raza]

How many different liveries on the planes at present?