Sialkot Airport may be operational from August

[Abbas Ali]

By Sarmad Mahmud

SIALKOT (June 06 2006): Sialkot International Airport (www.sial.com.pk), costing rupees two billion, would be operational likely on Aug. 14. According to Airport sources, the country's longest runway, measuring 3.6 kilometres, had been completed, which would provide landing and take off facilities to Boeing 747 and other aircraft in bad weather like mist.

The sources said cargo terminal, apron and external roads of the airport had also been completed and terminal for domestic passengers was nearing completion.

According to a rough estimate, over 10,000 exporters of Sialkot, besides a large number of exporters and other passengers of Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Wazirabad, Jehlum and Mirpur (Azad Kashmir) would be benefited with this mega project.

The regular functioning of the airport would not only accelerate the pace of trade and commerce activities, but would also help enhance the export volume to manifold while generate wide employment opportunities in the area. The Sialkot International Airport is being developed on "build, own and operate (BOO)" basis and it would be a landmark not only in the history of this export-oriented city and hub of cottage industries, but would also for the country.

This mega project had a great significance because it was being totally financed by the private sector.

The Sialkot International Airport would fully cater to the needs of golden industrial triangle of Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat. Undoubtedly, the airport will bring a revolutionary change in the socio-economic development of the region.

With the merging of Dry Port, Export Processing Zone and airport at Sialkot, the importance of the area will further enhance, which will ultimately help substantial increase in the exports from the area in future.

The Sialkot Airport is being developed over 1,004 acres of land, where best facilities would be available, besides sufficient space has also been reserved for airlines offices, aircraft catering units, ground handling services, cargo warehouses, restaurant and car parking etc.

According to a rough estimate, 60 percent of aircraft movement will be for domestic, while 40 percent will be for the international carriers. The potential traffic forecast for the Sialkot International Airport is scaled down at the time of opening to 472,000 passengers a year, while estimated cargo tonnage at the time of opening is expected to be 24,000 tons. This means that by the end of year 2012, about 53,000 tones of cargo will be lifted from the SIA.

Source: Business Recorder

[PK777]

Good news, there are some images on their website showing the latest develpments. By the looks of things it seems they are ready for action.

Maybe this way we will see Sialkot attract more international airlines as it is able to handle the B747s, which will give it a great advantage for the future. Also, this will help increase cargo exports out of Pakistan and help the dometic economy for Sialkot.