MULTAN, April 27 The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has proposed suspending Boeing flights to and from Multan for a period of eight months from July 1 and operating Haj flights this year from Bahawalpur instead.

The suggestion was moved in line with the expansion project of Multan Airport which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.

The CAA proposed PIA authorities to suspend Boeing flights for eight months from July 1 as it would facilitate the authority to complete the project within stipulated time period.

The existing runway of the Multan Airport is 9,000 feet long with 100 feet wide. During the expansion, both the length and width of the runway would be enhanced to 10,500 feet and 150 feet, respectively, and the runway would not be in position to accommodate Boeing flights. However, ATR flights would remain operating and the suggestion to suspend the Boeing flights was just to avoid inconvenience.

Project Manager Ata Sheikh told APP that Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani had already agreed to the CAA proposal.

He said that they had recommended PIA authorities to issue a new flights schedule from July 1, adding that ATR flights would be also be given landing facility during night-time.

He said the expansion project worth Rs4.7 billion would be completed by October 2010. —APP