Hyderabad Airport to resume functioning after a long pause
Hyderabad
Airport is set to resume commercial flight operations after more than a
decade, with the facility potentially serving as an alternate airport for
Karachi, Sukkur and Nawabshah during adverse weather conditions and
emergencies, according to media reports citing officials.
Sources
within the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA)
said work on the proposed revival project is expected to begin soon.
Under
the plan, the airport’s existing 7,000-foot runway would be extended to
approximately 11,500 feet. The expansion would enable the airport to
accommodate larger commercial aircraft, including Boeing 777s.
The
project is also expected to include upgrades to passenger facilities and other
infrastructure required to support commercial flight operations.
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The
proposed revival could eventually pave the way for the restoration of domestic
air services to Hyderabad and strengthen the city’s position as a regional
aviation hub.
Alternate Airport for Emergencies
Under
the proposed contingency arrangement, flights scheduled to land at Karachi,
Nawabshah or Sukkur could be diverted to Hyderabad in the event of severe
weather, operational disruptions or other emergencies.
Passengers
could subsequently be transported by road to their intended destinations,
allowing airlines to minimise disruptions and maintain passenger services.
Hyderabad
Airport has remained without commercial passenger flights since 2013, when
Pakistan International Airlines operated its last scheduled service from the
facility.
Pakistan
Airports Authority spokesperson Saif Ullah confirmed to Business
Recorder that the airport’s revival is part of the authority’s plans,
while noting that no formal announcement has yet been issued.
“Yes,
it is planned. Although we haven’t issued any formal statement, the contents
are mostly true,” he said.
Source:
Pro Pakistani