RAWALPINDI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has made significant infrastructural changes at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) to bring the facilities at par with the international standards.

A few airlines, which had cancelled their operations to Islamabad due to security reasons, have been in contact with the authorities concerned to resume their operations.

This was stated by Mohammad Afsar Malik, the airport manager, while briefing mediapersons at the airport on Monday.

“Security was a problem for the airlines which stopped their flight operation to Islamabad,” he said, adding since the airport facilities have been improved according to international standards, these and some other operators are now willing to resume their flights to Islamabad.

Airport manager says airlines which cancelled their operations to Islamabad due to security reasons are now willing to resume flights

Mr Malik said the infrastructural changes included the construction of a link taxiway, Delta, the facelift of the terminal building/concourse hall, redesigning of the existing car park/link routes for passengers, the construction of a new car park for airport functionaries and redesigning of the business lounge (old Rawal Lounge).

“The improved facilities at the airport not only provide convenience to the passengers but also help the airlines in saving time and fuel costs,” the official added.

He said safety and efficiency of aircraft operation was the primary objective of the CAA. However, the absence of a linked taxiway towards the end of the runway was causing hurdles in the efficient operation of the aircraft.

Earlier, the airport had only two taxiways in the middle of the runway which resulted in the backtracking of every landing aircraft .This took more than five minutes to vacate the active runway which further caused delays to the aircraft on the ground and in the air. Keeping these factors in view, a decision was taken to develop a link taxiway “D” for the rapid exit of the aircraft from the active runway. This taxiway was developed at a cost of Rs200 million, he said.

The taxiway provides a link between the main runway and the apron for the aircraft to move towards the apron for parking. It is a new addition to the existing taxiways, Alpha and Bravo, and ensures the runway clearance from the aircraft’s turning point on the runway, clearing it instantly.

As a result, the aircraft-holding time is reduced both in the air and on the ground. On an average, every aircraft saves five to 10 minutes either on the ground or in the air which results in saving of fuel costing $150 per minute to a medium aircraft.

Cumulatively, it would save fuel worth Rs1 billion per annum to the airlines.

Briefing about the airport security, Mr Malik said: “A blast-proof wall has been built around the airport for better protection against any external threat.”

The exclusive car parking facility for the airport functionaries was developed to create more space in the passengers’ car park. With the functionaries’ car parking lot accommodating at least 300 cars and 700 motorcycles, the capacity of the general car park has increased to accommodate around 700 cars.

The newly-developed concourse area was specifically prepared for the international passengers. The number of briefing counters has been increased from 20 to 25. Two additional immigration counters were also added despite space constraints.

The international briefing area/concourse hall was revamped with shops and bank branches better organised. An airline ticketing enclave was created to facilitate the passengers.

He said the business lounge was also redesigned to improve security standards and convenience for the entitled passengers.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2015

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