June 28, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 23, 1429

SKARDU, June 27: Skardu and Gilgit airports will be equipped with modern facilities to maintain the schedule of flights even in bad weathers.

These views were expressed by Director General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Farooq Rehmatullhah, while inaugurating the ground breaking ceremony of a new terminal at Skardu Airport.

He said a team of experts was being sent to Switzerland to study the latest landing system of flights in the cloudy weather. On its return, the team will introduce this modern technology in the mountainous areas, especially in Skardu and Gilgit, with the help of the government.

He said well-equipped airports would help promote tourism in the Northern areas.

The director general said a new aviation policy had been drafted under which private persons or companies would be allowed to build their own helipads and they would be able to launch their own flight service or helicopter service.

“Besides, no landing charges would be levied in Northern Areas. However, the policy was to be approved by the federal cabinet,” he added.

Mr Farooq said Skardu airport building was old and the passengers were facing hardships because of it.

After completion of this project, the people would get latest facilities in the new building at Skardu airport.

He said work on this project would be launched within one month and would be completed by next year at a cost of Rs50 million.