ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif on Tuesday said that the new Islamabad Airport will be
an icon of excellence internationally and will further promote
the progressive image of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister expressed these views while chairing
a meeting on Pakistan International Airline (PIA) and the
aviation affairs here at PM House.
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress on the new
Islamabad Airport and was apprised that all construction
packages of new Islamabad Airport are on track.
He directed to complete the link road project from
Rawalpindi to New Islamabad Airport by March 2017.
The National Highway Authority was also directed by
the Prime Minister to monitor the quality of work on the
link road project according to the required standards.
The Prime Minister reviewed the overall performance
of the National Flag Carrier during the last six months.
The Chairman PIA gave a comprehensive presentation
to participants of the meeting and briefed that significant
enhancement in revenue has been registered.
The meeting was informed that the passengers uplift
has registered a total increase of 26.7 percent while
capacity of the Airline has registered an increase of
17.3 percent.
Domestic market share of PIA has significantly
increased and performance of the cargo in terms of
revenue has also enhanced satisfactorily.
The meeting was briefed that PIA has now additional
frequency of flights abroad that is going to increase
further in months ahead.
On roadmap to additional aircraft, the Chairman
briefed that the existing strength of aircraft is 37
and PIA will have 50 aircraft by March 2018.
PIA is also in dialogue with Airbus for new aircraft
and plans to induct seven brand new wide body and ten narrow
body aircraft, the meeting was informed.
The Prime Minister was also briefed on the progress of
work on the expansion of Allama Iqbal International Airport
Lahore.
The Prime Minister directed for expediting the expansion
work and removing bottlenecks.
The Prime Minister constituted a committee that will
solve budgetary problems of PIA and Civil Aviation. The
committee will submit the detailed proposals and solutions
within next fifteen days.