Pakistan’s Sukkur, DI Khan airports elevated to international status
Pakistan’s Aviation
Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has announced to elevate Sukkur and Dera Ismail
(DI) Khan airports to international status.
The aviation minister announced the development while
speaking at the National Assembly (NA) floor in Islamabad. “The preliminary
work for the upgradation of both Sukkur and DI Khan airports has been
completed”, Saad Rafique said.
He said the up-gradation of runway of Karachi Airport will be carried out soon.
The federal minister pointed out that the DI Khan airport would be a green field project and completely a new facility in the area. “The up-gradation work will begin as soon as reports for viability are received,” he added.
Saad Rafique also said the government was
making efforts to hire small aircraft, with a capacity of 80 to 100 passengers,
on lease to reduce the loss of Pakistan International Airlines.
Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan Civil
Aviation Authority (PCAA) expedited the process for the elevation of
Sukkur Airport to international status, while survey for the expansion of the
airport has been completed.
A budget of Rs8 billion has been allocated for
the expansion of the airport. A new runway and a terminal building would be
built at Sukkur Airport.