RAWALPINDI, Aug 20: A new airport in the capital is a must, said defence secretary Lt-Gen Hamid Nawaz Khan (retired) on Tuesday.

He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the renovated domestic and international arrival lounges of the Islamabad International Airport.

The secretary said: “We are making all efforts to actualize the new Islamabad airport project since this has now become an operational necessity.” The site for new airport has been selected at Pind Ranjha.

He, however, said even if funding and contractual formalities are made available and completed expeditiously, the new airport may still take almost over half a decade to become operational. Therefore, he said, the improvements at the existing facility were an immediate requirement.

Civil Aviation Authority has spent Rs68 million on the renovation of the two arrival lounges and will spend another Rs21.5 million on improving the concourse hall and the briefing area of the domestic departure lounge.

Mentioning the special features of the renovated airport, the defence secretary said: “Improvement and enhancement of space in the lounges and passenger comfort were the two main concerns”.

“This, apart from giving a very cheerful and friendly look to Islamabad International Airport had also helped to remove over-crowding and reduce hassles at the small airport,” he said.

Passenger handling capacity in these lounges had been increased from 600 to 1,200 at a time.

“With the renovation, undertaken meticulously and aesthetically, we can take pride that these lounges are comparable to international standard and give a warm welcome to the arriving passengers,” he said.

Appreciating the airport management, he said, it had done a good job to improve Pakistan’s image.

Director General CAA Air Marshal Aliuddin in his speech said the objective of the renovation work was to make the first impression of those landing in Islamabad a favourable one and to give them a fresh and a friendly look.

The DG CAA said Lahore’s new Allama Iqbal International Airport would be ready by November.