KARACHI, Oct 24: Air Vice Marshal Arshad Sethi, who is deputy chief of the Civil Aviation Authority, has stated that newly-built terminal complex of the International Airport, Lahore, will become operational early next year following its trial run in December.

He was talking to journalists after the formal inauguration of the Kuwait Airways offices at a local hotel on Thursday. The offices, which were completely destroyed in a suicide bomb attack near the hotel in May this year, have been rebuilt and renovated. They have been furnished anew with indigenous technology.

Replying to questions, AVM Sethi expressed his hope that the terminal complex at Lahore would open up new opportunities for the aviation industry.

After 9/11 tragedy, there has been a worldwide downslide in the aviation industry and Pakistan is not an exception, he observed. He pointed out that there is no dearth of air traffic from Pakistan. However, visa problem which has emerged following the twin-tower event has made things complicated.