Rs 4.5 billion earmarked for Multan airport upgradation

Karachi: As part of its ongoing efforts aimed at upgradation of airports across the country, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has earmarked Rs 4.5 billion for further development of Multan airport, which will be upgraded to international status.

Of this total allocation, Rs 3.5 billion is being spent by CAA from its ADP, while the remaining Rs 1 billion will be contributed and covered by the government. This was announced by Farooq Rahmatullah, Director-General, Civil Aviation Authority, while addressing a press briefing on Wednesday.

Vikram S Sodha, Director, Planning and Development, CAA, at present spearheading the project, Air Cdre Junaid Ameen (CEO, Airport Services), Yousuf Kamal (Director, Works) and other CAA officials were also present.

Highlighting the recent developments on the ongoing upgradation process, Farooq said that efforts were being made to facilitate all domestic and international passengers at Multan airport. The project, he said, encompasses two important phases--expansion of terminal building, and upgradation of 'Airside Facilities' in Phase Two.

He said that army was providing 43 acres land to CAA, free of cost, and Pakistan Air Force has allowed extension of runway on its land. About various aspects of the ongoing project, Vikram said that CAA has also hired services of a well known consultant consortium comprising ECIL the Lois Berger Group (LBG), FNMH & VOROW International, which have undertaken the planning and design-related aspects of the project.

All concepts related towards the planning and designing of the 'Airside facilities' of Phase One for the airport have been specially designed by these consultants, he said.

He said that the runway length of the new Multan international airport would be increased to 11,000 feet from the present 9000 feet, raising the width of the runway to 150 feet, and 25 feet wide shoulders on either side against the present width of 100 feet. And, the runway would be upgraded to Category 'E' (B-747) design aircraft. He further said that strengthening of parallel taxiway and construction of new apron and overruns on both ends of the runway, as per NAFCP/ICAO recommendations, is also a part of this upgradation plan.

Regarding the completion time of the project, Farooq said that following the tender documentation, which is expected to be completed by the end of January 2008, airside work phase-one for the airport project is expected to commence from April 2008 with the expected completion time of up to 36 months.