PCAA to complete mega projects on schedule

KARACHI: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) will continue implementation on its on-going mega projects during the year 2012 for betterment of stakeholders and development of the country.

The PCAA has spent billions of rupees on these projects including up-gradation and construction of new airports in the country during the year 2011.

According to media coordinator Ismail Khoso, the construction work of Benazir Bhutto Int'l Airport (BBIAP), the first green field airport project of Pakistan is being carried out in full pace and it will play a major role not only in the national but also international aviation sector after completion by June 2013.

It will be a state-of-the-art airport capable of handing A-380 operation with modular facilities for both domestic and international passengers and cargo for which respective annual handling capacities will gradually grow from 6.5 million passengers and 100, 00 metric ton cargo to 25 million passengers and 150,000 metric tons of cargo, respectively, at par with international standards and shall serve as a major hub for all aviation activities it the region.

The development work under up-gradation plan of the existing infrastructure at the Multan airport for B-747/B-777 operation on modern line to support the 21st century aircraft technology and to meet operational requirements of next 15-20 years, will be completed as per schedule.

He said that the Government has approved the plan prepared by PCAA for news Gawadar International Airport (NGIA) Project under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). Sultanate of Oman will provide grant of US$ 17.5 million for this project.

Land measuring 4,300 acres located along coastal highway has been acquired and handed over to CAA in May, 2008. PC-1 amounting to Rs 7675 million along with master plan has been approved by ECNEC.

PCAA has already launched up-gradation-augmentation of existing infrastructure precision approach & landing-navigational aid system as well as radar network to facilitate more efficient and secured operations of aircraft in Pakistan airspace. Construction work of new airport at Thar (Islamkot) is also in progress

Following USOAP audit, PCAA is now recognized as one of the top aviation in the world and its team of universal over sight safety audit programme (USOAP) has completed the safety audit of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority this year.

On the other hand, the top management promoted 550 employees to next higher grade besides 60 officers and staff members awarded PCAA Commendation Certificates for their industrious services to the organization during the year 2011.