RAWALPINDI: In a bid to enhance its airside infrastructure and accommodate larger aircraft, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has signed a contract for the reconstruction of Jinnah International Airport’s main runway.

The contract was signed by the PCAA’s director planning and development, and the director of Umar Jan and Company at a ceremony held at the PCAA headquarters on Thursday.

According to a PCAA spokesman, the reconstruction of the main runway (07L/25R) will enable the Karachi airport to seamlessly accommodate wide-body aircraft up to category 4F, including Airbus A380. The project, set to commence soon after Eidul Azha, aims to improve safety, reliability, and capacity to handle growing passenger and aircraft traffic.

The upgrade, according to the spokesman, will feature the latest energy-efficient lighting system, an extended runway by 1,000 feet, making it 11,500 feet, and reconstructed taxiways and overruns at both ends.

Four taxi links near the 07L end will also receive an asphaltic overlay, and a control and monitoring system will be installed in the control tower.

The PCAA expects this upgrade to attract both domestic and international airlines to operate at the airport in the future.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2024